The new southern branch of the National Palace Museum is scheduled to open in December. That’s the word from the museum’s director Feng Ming-chu. The world class museum has nearly 700,000 pieces of Chinese imperial art and artifacts spanning over 10,000 years of history.
In an interview with Radio Taiwan International, Feng said that the new branch will open on a trial basis starting December 28. Visitors will be able to enter free for the first three months.
"I earnestly hope that this great museum will open its doors to our friends in the south on December 28," said Feng. "I also hope that visitors from around the world who come to Taiwan will not just join the crowds in the northern branch anymore. You can also go to the southern branch."
The southern branch of the National Palace Museum has 10 major exhibits planned. These include special exhibits of Islamic jadeware, Ming dynasty porcelain, Asian tea culture, and Japanese Imari porcelain.
The museum is also working with the tourism bureau to arrange two- to three-day tours of sights in southern Taiwan.