The National Palace Museum
Introduction to the NPM
From an imperial legacy to a public asset,
the collection of the National Palace Museum embraces the entire Chinese civilization,
a civilization with a continuous history which is unique in the world.
The present-day National Palace Museum not only represents
an inheritance of an ancient civilization,
but also stands for a connection
between the past and the contemporary society.
The Palace Museum was founded on October 10th 1925. Imperial collections accumulated throughout the Sung（宋）, Yüan（元）, Ming（明）and Ch'ing（清）dynasties were displayed for the enjoyment of the masses for the very first time.
Since 1931, internal disorders and foreign intrusions prompted the republican government to move the most important treasures out of the Forbidden City. The cultural relics traveled over 10,000 miles before they finally arrived in Taiwan almost 40 years later. This toilsome journey became a legend and separated the National Palace Museum from all other museums in the world. The treasures were preserved as a result. Moreover, not a single object was damaged during the voyage. After years of purchasing as well as receiving generous donations, today the National Palace Museum in Taipei houses more than 650,000 articles. Many fruitful results have been achieved in conservation, research and exhibition.
The museum has confronted the challenges of globalization and innovative manage concepts in recent years. As a result, in 2001, it was decided that the main building should be renovated. The project was completed and revealed in 2006. Apart from expanding the space and upgrading the software, “emphasizing the value of people” was a priority when designing the new galleries. It is in a visitor-friendly museum that the existence of the treasures can be appreciated and the values of these cultural relics can be conveyed.
Today, the National Palace Museum continues to strive for improvements. It refuses to freeze in 8000 years of Chinese history but would like to carry the civilization into the future.