The National Palace Museum sits on a hillside in Taipei's Shilin District and holds one of the world's greatest collections of Chinese imperial art, with roughly 700,000 objects from the Song, Yuan, Ming and Qing courts. Its 'three treasures' are the Jadeite Cabbage, the Meat-shaped Stone and the Mao Kung Ting bronze ritual vessel. Displays rotate regularly and some flagship pieces travel to the Southern Branch in Chiayi, so it is wise to confirm what is on view before you go.
The three treasures: Jadeite Cabbage, Meat-shaped Stone, and the Mao Kung Ting bronze bearing the longest known inscription on ancient Chinese bronze
Around 700,000 objects spanning painting, calligraphy, ceramics, bronzes and jades from the imperial courts
Free-to-enter classical gardens Zhishan Garden and Zhide Garden beside the museum
Rotating permanent and special exhibitions organized by era and theme, with multilingual audio guides
Palace-style architecture on the hill, plus a museum shop and tea house
Good to know
RulesPhotography is generally allowed in the galleries, but flash, tripods, selfie sticks and auxiliary lighting are prohibited; do not photograph items marked with a no-photography sign.
RulesFood, drinks, bottles and cans are not permitted inside the exhibition halls, and large bags must be left in the lockers before entering.
SeasonStar pieces like the Jadeite Cabbage and Meat-shaped Stone rotate and may be shown at the Southern Branch in Chiayi rather than Taipei, so check the official website for their current location before visiting.
CautionIf taking a taxi from Shilin Station, confirm the driver uses the meter; many taxis do not accept cards, so carry NT$100 notes and small change for the fare.
MannersWeekend and holiday late mornings to early afternoons get very crowded with tour groups; arrive right at opening (9:00) or after 2:00 pm for a calmer visit, and queue politely at the treasure displays.
Practical info
From MRT Shilin Station (Tamsui-Xinyi Line), Exit 1, take bus R30, 815, 304 and others for about 15 minutes. Open Tue-Sun 09:00-17:00 (ticket sales/exchange until 16:30), closed Mondays and public holidays (with special Monday openings on select 2026 dates). General admission around NT$350. Confirm fares, hours and exhibit locations before your visit.
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