If there's one attraction that is a must see in Taipei it's the National Palace Museum. It houses some of the most magnificent examples of Chinese paintings, jade, caligraphy, tapestry and books.

When Chiang Kai Shek's KMT fled to Taiwan in 1949 at the end of the Chinese civil war he somehow managed to bring with him the most important items of art and culture. These were set up in the National Palace Museum in the Shi Lin district of Taipei, close to Chiang's old residence.

There simply isn't a better collection anywhere. While tours in English are a regular part of the day it's just as rewarding to take yourself off and get lost among the artifacts.

The National Palace Museum's existance probably rankles with mainland China more than the existance of Chen Shiu Bien. And rightly so.

www.npm.gov.tw/index.htm

221 Chih Shan Rd sec 2, Shi Lin, Taipei. Take a cab from the city centre or take the red line MRT to ShiLin then a bus East.

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If you're interested in the pre-Chinese history of Taipei and you're in the Beitou district, this indigenous museum is well worth a visit. Along with photographs showing how indigenous people traditionally looked, dressed and lived, you get a sense of the old aesthetic through art and craft displays. A warning that signage is in Mandarin Chinese, but that didn't hamper my enjoyment.

Zhongshan Road, near Xin Beitou MRT train station

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