National Palace Museum (Northern Branch)
Auto-TranslationWhen talking about the "National Palace Museum," everyone quickly thinks of the "Jadeite Cabbage" and the "Mao Gong Ding," or the famous "Meat-shaped Stone" that resembles Dongpo pork. In fact, in addition to the 700,000 artifacts from various Chinese dynasties that are on rotating display, the grounds themselves are also a hidden treasure worth exploring over and over again.
Taking the bus from the city and heading up the mountain, the scenery outside the window gradually shifts from buildings to lush greenery, and one’s mood settles down, preparing to step into another time and space. Walking up the stairs step by step, the magnificent Chinese palatial architecture of the main hall reveals itself, standing four stories tall with intricate brackets, soaring rooftops, and green tiles with yellow ridges, all embraced by the mountainous backdrop, exuding a solemn and tranquil atmosphere.
The plaza is filled with travelers and tourists from around the world, with a mix of languages, but the atmosphere is not noisy; instead, it carries an eager anticipation like that of a pilgrimage. The ambiance here is peculiar, offering a sense that transcends time and space, connecting the ancient and modern while reaching across the globe.
(Image source: Wu Qiaoyun)
National Palace Museum Main Building (Admission Tickets)
The main building has exhibition spaces on the first to third floors, while the fourth floor features the tea lounge "Sanxi Hall." The National Palace Museum houses the largest collection of Chinese artistic treasures in the world, with artifacts primarily inherited from the Song, Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties, encompassing nearly the entirety of China's 5,000-year history, totaling almost 700,000 items. This has earned the museum the reputation of being a "treasury of Chinese culture." The collections can be broadly categorized into bronze ware, calligraphy and painting, ceramics, books and texts, crafts, and court relics. Due to the vast number of items, not all can be displayed at once; therefore, in addition to well-known star artifacts like the Jadeite Cabbage, Meat-shaped Stone, and Mao Gong Ding, the collections are rotated every three months through different themes.
The first floor includes exhibitions of Buddha statues, an information hall, literary works, special exhibitions, antiques, and furniture. The second floor features exhibitions of calligraphy and painting, ceramics, and special exhibitions, along with the museum shop and Tingyun Bookstore. The third floor is dedicated to family-oriented special exhibitions, jade artifacts, bronzewares, and other special exhibits.
The Mao Gong Ding is displayed in a glass case on the third floor, and it is not as large as one might imagine; however, the lengthy inscription engraved inside carries a history of over three thousand years. The mottled textures left on the surface of the bronze, each line and mark, are etched with unspoken historical traces.
In the jade artifact section, the Jadeite Cabbage is indeed a key object of pilgrimage for travelers. Its small size allows for a remarkable level of intricate detail to be admired. The layers of the leaves, the color transitions, and even the insect's antennae are all rendered with an incredible delicacy that is astonishing.
In contrast, the Meat-shaped Stone evokes a completely different emotion. Its realistic appearance resembling braised pork adds a sense of humor, making the artifact feel less distant and more relatable. It turns out that collections are not only about elegance; they can also be humorous and reflective of everyday life.
(Image source: Wu Qiaoyun)
(Image source: Wu Qiaoyun)
(Image source: Wu Qiaoyun)
(Image source: Wu Qiaoyun)
Children's Learning Center at the Palace Museum (Free Admission)
The "Children's Learning Center 2.0" combines classic artifacts from the museum with new media, providing various supplementary materials and interactive devices tailored for children of different age groups. It promotes intergenerational exchange and learning through game experiences, making education enjoyable.
(Image source: Wu Qiaoyun)
(Image source: Wu Qiaoyun)
(Image source: Wu Qiaoyun)
Zhi Shan Garden and Zhi De Garden (Free Admission)
If you feel overwhelmed by the deep cultural and historical immersion in the exhibition areas, you might consider heading to the "Zhi Shan Garden" on the left side of the complex to soothe your spirit. This garden is constructed in the style of Song dynasty architecture, featuring serene water surfaces in the Dragon Pool and the Ink Wash Pool, with pavilions like Songfeng Pavilion and Lanting standing gracefully. The garden incorporates traditional Chinese landscaping concepts, where the pavilions blend into the scenery, stones convey emotion, and small bridges span flowing water, all exuding an ancient charm.
Alternatively, you can also visit the open garden known as "Zhi De Garden" located on the right side of the complex. The entrance features a stylish classical arched doorway, and inside the garden, there is a lotus pond where, in the summer, you can see a multitude of blooming lotus flowers, allowing you to experience the refined tastes of ancient scholars and literary figures.
In the garden, the ponds, stone bridges, and pavilions intertwine, creating a tranquil atmosphere where you can hear the sound of the wind rustling through the leaves. This forms a contrast with the cultural depth inside the museum: on one side is millennia of civilization, while on the other is the present moment in nature. Sitting on a bench, you may suddenly feel as though "time is being stretched."
(Image source: Wu Qiaoyun)
(Image source: Wu Qiaoyun)
Mr. Chang Dai-chien Memorial Hall (Free Admission, Reservation Required)
Chang Dai-chien, an influential artist in China, was well-versed in poetry, calligraphy, painting, and appraisal. In May 1983, the family of Mr. Chang donated his former residence, "Maya Jing She," to the Palace Museum for management. As a result, the "Mr. Chang Dai-chien Memorial Hall" was established to allow the public to apply for visits. The overall architecture is personally designed by the master, with two floors mainly dedicated to preserving his former home and recreating his living space, showcasing photographs, unique stones, bonsais, and works of calligraphy and painting. Currently, visits require online reservations, so be sure to book in advance if you plan to go.
Conclusion
The Palace Museum is a space where exhibitions of artifacts coexist with natural gardens. It is not just a one-time attraction; it is a cultural treasure that can be continually rediscovered. Here, one doesn't just see artifacts; one sees and feels the weight of time. It turns out that we are not as distant from the people and cultures of thousands of years ago as we might imagine; through a single object, connections can be established.
If the meaning of travel is to expand one’s world, then what the Palace Museum reveals to us is time itself.
Visitation Guide Information:
Public Transportation:
Take the MRT to "Shilin Station," then transfer to the Red 30 bus for direct access.
Take the Taipei City Double-Decker Sightseeing Bus Blue Line and get off at the National Palace Museum Station.
Nearby Attractions:
Shilin Night Market
Shilin Official Residence
Jiantan Mountain Trail
Lin Yutang's Former Residence
Shunyi Indigenous Peoples Museum
