THE WORLD’S LARGEST COLLECTION OF CHINESE ART
The National Palace Museum in Taiwan is one of the most prominent museums in the world, renowned for its extensive collection of Chinese imperial artifacts and artworks that span nearly 8,000 years of China’s rich cultural history. It ranks among the world’s foremost repositories of Chinese historical treasures and is considered one of Taiwan’s most important cultural institutions.
The museum’s marvelous architecture is designed in the traditional Chinese palace style. It features elegant gardens, courtyards, and a beautiful setting in the foothills of Yangmingshan National Park. Appreciate the museum’s architecture, along with its stunning collection on our 8-Day Enchanting Taiwan Tour.
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Origins of the National Palace Museum
The priceless collection displayed inside originates from the Palace Museum in the Forbidden City in Beijing China. The core of the collection is the imperial collection, which was built up over thousands of years by successive emperors of China.
In the 1930s, as Japanese military aggression threatened the safety of these treasures, the Republic of China government made the decision to move the most valuable pieces of the collection out of the Palace Museum in Beijing to various locations for safekeeping.
Following the Chinese Civil War in 1949, the Republic of China government retreated to Taiwan, and decided to move a significant portion of the collection with them to prevent it from falling into the hands of the Chinese Communist Party. The National Palace Museum was consequently established in Taiwan in 1965 to display these artifacts.
The National Palace Museum Collection
The museum’s collection comprises 700,000 priceless artifacts, including pieces made of porcelain, jade and bronze, as well as masterful calligraphy, paintings, and other items. It includes masterpieces from different dynasties, each reflecting the historical periods from which they came, including the renowned Song, Ming, and Qing dynasties.
The collection is so large, that only a fraction is displayed at any given time due to space constraints. However, notable pieces like the “Jadeite Cabbage,” a meticulously carved jade sculpture, and the “Meat-shaped Stone,” a piece of jasper resembling a piece of braised pork, are part of the permanent exhibitions.
A Commitment to Educating and Innovating
Through the integration of cutting-edge technology, engaging interactive installations, and enveloping showcases, the museum endeavors to connect bygone eras with contemporary times, opening up the vast narrative of Chinese heritage and culture to a global audience.
Multimedia kiosks and interactive displays are placed throughout the museum, providing visitors with additional information, interactive games, and educational content about the collections.
The museum has also incorporated AR and VR technologies to create immersive experiences. For instance, visitors can use AR apps to interact with the museum’s artifacts onsite, or browse the museum from the comfort of their homes by using the 720° VR National Palace Museum portal.
For more information, including upcoming events and current exhibitions, visit the National Palace Museum official website.
