The Southern Branch of the National Palace Museum to Open in December: Jadeite Cabbage Heads South, Free Admission for All

▲ The Southern Branch of the National Palace Museum is set to officially open by the end of the year. (Photo / Reporter Chen Rui-zhong)

Reported by Chen Rui-zhong / Chiayi

The Southern Branch of the National Palace Museum in Chiayi announced on the 17th,that the Southern Branch will officially open to the public on December 28. Not only will admission be free for all during the first three months of trial operation, but the museum’s star attraction, the “Jadeite Cabbage,” will also head south, going on display from December 29 until October of next year..

The Southern Branch of the National Palace Museum covers a total area of approximately 70.3 hectares, including an Asian Art Museum as well as facilities such as an artificial lake and thematic gardens. The museum authorities stated that in conjunction with the opening of the Southern Branch, the museum’s most popular exhibit, the “Jadeite Cabbage,” will be displayed there until October 2, 2016, followed by the “Meat-shaped Stone” beginning October 4, allowing residents of southern Taiwan to appreciate these two treasured exhibits without having to travel far.

In terms of benefits,the museum authorities stated that admission will be by reservation only,with online reservations opening starting October 30.On the afternoon of December 28 from 2pm to 5pm, admission will be free only for residents of Yunlin, Chiayi, and Tainan; from the 29th until the end of March 2016, admission will be free for all; and in response to public demand, from April 1 to June 30, admission will be free for residents of Yunlin, Chiayi, and Tainan.;in response to requests from local residents, from April 1 to June 30, entry will be free for those from Yunlin, Chiayi, and Tainan.

After the museum opens, ticket prices will be NT$250 for general admission, NT$230 for group tickets (plus a NT$30 rental fee for the audio guide), and NT$150 for discounted tickets.

National Palace Museum Southern Branch
Address: No. 185, Museum Boulevard, Taibao City, Chiayi County
Ticket Prices: General admission NT$250, group tickets NT$230, discounted tickets NT$150

%i.e., the renowned “Jadeite Cabbage.” (October, reported by Reporter Ma Wei-zhen, Chiayi)