The Government of Taiwan has approved a six-year, $342 million development plan for the National Palace Museum in Taipei City.
The project will include the renovation and expansion of the National Palace Museum headquarters, the establishment of an exhibition and restoration facility at the museum’s Southern Branch in Chiayi County and the creation of a national museum network to coordinate promotional campaigns.
The museum was established in 1925 and shares its roots with the Palace Museum in the Forbidden City in Beijing. Its permanent collection is comprised of nearly 700,000 pieces of ancient Chinese imperial artifacts and artwork.
Lin Cheng-yi, Director of the National Palace Museum, told Taiwan Today that, as part of the plan, improvements will be made to the museum’s landscape and the coordination of activities. The museum will also seek to increase access for transportation.
Premier Lai Ching-te addressed the plan in a Cabinet meeting last week, according to Taiwan Today. He said that the plan will help ensure better preservation of artifacts and exhibitions while also enhancing visitor experiences.
When the project is complete in 2024 it is expected to increase visitor numbers to eight million per year and generate ticket sales of $12.8 million. Overall, it is hoped the development of the museum will generate more than $4.5 billion in tourism related revenue for Taiwan.
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/3341723
