National Palace Museum

國立故宮博物院

Jade cabbage, a stone like pork belly, and 700,000 imperial treasures

⚠ Closed Mon (some exceptions)

Hours

Tue–Sun 09:00–17:00 (tickets until 16:30); closed Mondays except 26 Oct, 9 Nov and 7 Dec 2026

Tickets

Exhibition Hall I adults NT$350; 17 and under free; e-tickets on the official site; audio guides cost extra

Address

221 Zhishan Rd Sec. 2, Shilin District

The museum grew out of the crates the Nationalists shipped from Beijing's Forbidden City and other collections at the end of the civil war. With close to 700,000 pieces it can only show a fraction at a time, so displays rotate. Two objects draw the queues: the Jadeite Cabbage, katydids and all, and the Meat-shaped Stone, layered like skin, fat and lean. Start on the third floor where the stars are and work down; reviewers keep saying an audio guide or docent tour turns the cases of jade and bronze into stories.