Exclusive perk for Chiayi residents only: free admission to the National Palace Museum Southern Branch after 3 PM all year round until 2018!

▲ National Palace Museum Southern Branch. Video licensed by /KK Travel World K's journey

Travel Center / Comprehensive Report

With its sleek and contemporary design, the National Palace Museum Southern Branch has quickly risen as a new favorite among travelers in Chiayi. It's an ideal destination for educational outings or weekend exploration, offering a refreshing contrast between ancient art and cutting-edge architecture.The Chiayi branch of the National Palace Museum is positioned as a “Museum of Asian Art and Culture,” aiming to achieve a balanced cultural richness between northern and southern Taiwan, much like its counterpart in Taipei. Special ticket discounts are now available—until December 31, 2018, Chiayi residents can enter for free after 3 PM. Visitors from other counties can enjoy entry for NT$150. Don’t miss the opportunity to enrich your cultural and intellectual life at this essential southern Taiwan destination.

▲ The National Palace Museum Southern Branch boasts a diverse collection and exhibitions, along with a spacious campus and eye-catching architectural design. (Photo provided by KK Travel World K's journey))

The Southern Branch campus is expansive, featuring areas such as an artificial wetland, gardens, and a waterside stage. It also includes two man-made lakes, Zhi Shan Lake and Zhi De Lake, spanning nearly 14 hectares, designed for flood control and drought resistance. Before entering the main building, visitors must cross the Zhi Mei Bridge over the southern artificial lake. The bridge is 141.74 meters long, with the highest point of its arch reaching 17.5 meters. Its double-arched design gives it a majestic and spectacular presence, often likened to a moat. Walking across the bridge as you take in the shimmering water is both relaxing and romantic. The main structure of the museum itself is a meticulously crafted giant sculpture, featuring a bright expanse of transparent windows paired with neat, harmonious geometric lines that create the illusion of stepping into a modern art gallery.

▲ The Zhi Mei scenic bridge spanning the artificial lake is 141 meters long. (Photo byKK Travel World K's journey)

▲ “Map of Coastal Passes Across Provinces,” created during the Jiaqing to Daoguang reigns of the Qing Dynasty, in the 18th century. (Photo byKK Travel World K's journey)

Ever Flowing — The History of Chiayi’s Development

The National Palace Museum Southern Branch houses traditional Chinese landscape paintings depicting maps of Taiwan. These works illustrate the island’s mountainous terrain, geography, and coastal defenses during the Qing Dynasty, allowing visitors to understand the natural environment of Taiwan around the 19th century and observe the historical evolution of Zhuluo as seen in ancient maps.

▲ “Yangcai Lotus-Pattern Red-Glazed Teapot,” created in the 6th year of Emperor Qianlong’s reign during the Qing Dynasty. (Photo byKK Travel World K's journey)

Aroma Spreads Far — Exhibition on Asian Tea Culture

The reigns of Emperors Kangxi, Yongzheng, and Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty marked a golden age for the production of imperial tea ware. The exquisite craftsmanship reveals the emperors’ great appreciation for tea. The “Yangcai Lotus-Pattern Red-Glazed Teapot” from the 6th year of Qianlong’s reign features delicate hand-painted details, with vibrant glazes applied both inside and outside the teapot. Its purplish-red exterior is adorned with engraved scrolling vines, yangcai designs, chi dragons, floral patterns, and more, showcasing the exceptional detail of the engraving techniques.

National Palace Museum Southern Branch
Official Website
Address: No. 888, Museum Boulevard, Taibao City, Chiayi County
Business Hours: 09:00–17:00, closed every Monday