Like a giant ingot resting on the Jianan Plain, the National Palace Museum Southern Branch opens for free starting December 28

▲ Exterior of the Southern Branch of the National Palace Museum. (Photo / Provided by the National Palace Museum)

Reported by Lai Wen-hsuan / Chiayi

The Southern Branch of the National Palace Museum in Chiayi has taken nearly 15 years from planning to near completion, and is set to officially begin trial operations on December 28. On the 10th, the museum and THSR collaboratedon the “Meet the Southern Branch – THSR Mural Train”launch, holding a press conference at Chiayi HSR Station. National Palace Museum Director Feng Mingzhu stated in her speech that although the Southern Branch is not yet fully completed, she guarantees it will open as scheduled on December 28, which is expected to boost overall tourism in the Yunlin, Chiayi, and Tainan regions.

▲ National Palace Museum Director Feng Mingzhu. (Photo / Taken by reporter Lai Wen-hsuan)

The planning process for the Southern Branch of the National Palace Museum lasted nearly 15 years, and it is finally set to open by the end of the year. On the 10th, a joint press conference with THSR was held at Chiayi HSR Station. Vice Premier Chang San-cheng attended and gave a speech, saying,the Southern Branch is highly anticipated, and the National Palace Museum must complete and open it as scheduled by December 28.The blue-and-white dragon-patterned mural train, in collaboration with THSR, will be a stunning sight as it travels through the Jianan Plain.

▲ Southern Branch of the National Palace Museum. (Photo / Taken by reporter Chen Jui-chung)

Director Feng Mingzhu also assured the public at the press conference,stating that the Southern Branch will definitely open as planned on December 28,becoming an Asian art and culture museum while distinguishing itself from the Taipei branch, truly realizing the original concept of“balancing north and south, and equalizing cultural wealth.”She also mentioned that the Southern Branch’s exterior resembles a treasure basin, located on the Jianan Plain, and is sure to drive tourism in the Yunlin, Chiayi, and Tainan regions.

▲ Exterior of the Southern Branch of the National Palace Museum. (Photo / Taken by reporter Chen Jui-chung)

Located in Taibao, Chiayi County, the Southern Branch covers approximately 70 hectares, including the museum area, landscape park, and artificial lake. Designed and supervised by architect Kris Yao, the museum’s opening exhibition — “Blue and White Harmony: Special Exhibition of Blue-and-White Porcelain from the Collection” — will also feature the mural train’s thematic artifact, the “Blue-and-White Dragon-Patterned Celestial Globe Vase.”

▲ The THSR Mural Train featuring the Southern Branch. (Photo / Taken by reporter Lai Wen-hsuan)

The Southern Branch will officially open on December 28.During the trial operation period from December 29, 2015, to March 31, 2016, entry will be free for all visitors.To maintain visit quality, all individual and group visits must be reserved online in advance. In addition, the Southern Branch has partnered with THSR to offer package tours, and surrounding transportation has been integrated. In late December, visitors can take Chiayi buses or shuttle buses directly from Chiayi Railway Station or Chiayi HSR Station to the Southern Branch.

National Palace Museum Southern Branch – Asian Art and Culture Museum

Address: No. 888, Museum Boulevard, Taibao City, Chiayi County
Admission: General admission NT$250, group ticket NT$230, concession ticket NT$150
Trial operation period: December 29, 2015, to March 31, 2016, free entry
Trial operation bonus: April 1, 2016, to June 30, 2016, free entry for residents of Yunlin, Chiayi, and Tainan with valid ID.
*To maintain visit quality, all individual and group visits must be reserved online in advance.