National Palace Museum
On a par with the Louvre and the Hermitage, Taiwan’s premier museum holds the finest collection of Chinese art and artifacts on the planet. Taken directly from Beijing’s Forbidden City when then-President Chian Kai Shek fled the capital, having lost his battle against Mao Tse Tung, the collection ranges from intricate, 5,000-year-old bronzes to Ming-era porcelain bowls worth millions on the open market. Unfortunately, the world knows how important this collection is, so its usually jammed with hordes of tourists, most being led around by flag-waving guides. We'd suggest you get a set of English language headsets instead of taking a formal tour so you can duck into less crowded areas when the going gets claustrophobic. Try to get there when the doors open, before the tour groups arrive. That means running directly to the third floor, where the unofficial mascot of the museum, the famed Jade Cabbage, is set in a glass box. Carved from one piece of ombre green-to-white jade, it’s a luminous beauty that looks like the most toothsome bok choy you’ve ever seen. Nearby is the famed miniatures collection, which include such wonders as an olive pit carved into an intricate boat (complete with doors that can open and close and tiny rowers), and thimble-size ivory sculptures of temples and animals viewed through a magnifying glass. Though westerners may find it less easy to appreciate the artistry of the collection’s scrolls and porcelains (I know I did), it's worth a try as the pieces here are considered the finest examples anywhere and they’re arranged to teach how these arts developed. On the top floor is a lovely teahouse; since you'll need 3–4 hours to see the masterworks (thanks to the crowds), you’ll want to break up your time with a drink here. On the first floor of the museum is a massive gift shop with some of the finest keepsakes in Taiwan.
On a par with the Louvre and the Hermitage, Taiwan’s premier museum holds the finest collection of Chinese art and artifacts on the planet. Taken directly from Beijing’s Forbidden City when then-President Chian Kai Shek fled the capital, having lost his battle against Mao Tse Tung, the collection ranges from intricate, 5,000-year-old bronzes to Ming-era porcelain bowls worth millions on the open market. Unfortunately, the world knows how important this collection is, so its usually jammed with hordes of tourists, most being led around by flag-waving guides. We'd suggest you get a set of English language headsets instead of taking a formal tour so you can duck into less crowded areas when the going gets claustrophobic. Try to get there when the doors open, before the tour groups arrive. That means running directly to the third floor, where the unofficial mascot of the museum, the famed Jade Cabbage, is set in a glass box. Carved from one piece of ombre green-to-white jade, it’s a luminous beauty that looks like the most toothsome bok choy you’ve ever seen. Nearby is the famed miniatures collection, which include such wonders as an olive pit carved into an intricate boat (complete with doors that can open and close and tiny rowers), and thimble-size ivory sculptures of temples and animals viewed through a magnifying glass. Though westerners may find it less easy to appreciate the artistry of the collection’s scrolls and porcelains (I know I did), it's worth a try as the pieces here are considered the finest examples anywhere and they’re arranged to teach how these arts developed. On the top floor is a lovely teahouse; since you'll need 3–4 hours to see the masterworks (thanks to the crowds), you’ll want to break up your time with a drink here. On the first floor of the museum is a massive gift shop with some of the finest keepsakes in Taiwan.
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