Palace Museum’s Dragon Scripture exhibition draws crowds; nonstop opening trial ends mid‑September.

The National Palace Museum’s Northern Branch has announced that the special‑exhibition‑driven, month‑long trial measures will conclude on September 13. The measures, which began on August 8 in response to the highly anticipated “Long Cang Jing” exhibition, included daily opening, extended visiting hours, and discounted ticket prices. From September 15 onward, the Northern Branch will resume its normal operating hours and routine schedule, and visitors are urged to check the updated timetable to avoid missing the opportunity.

The trial was launched to manage the surge of visitors drawn by the Long Cang Jing exhibition, a priceless treasure of Qing‑dynasty court‑held Tibetan Buddhist scriptures that has long been a shining gem in the museum’s collection. The exhibition sparked a pilgrimage‑like wave of domestic and international tourists, prompting the museum to adopt an unprecedented daily‑open policy, significantly extend its opening hours, and offer reduced admission fees. These steps reflected the museum’s commitment to public accessibility, cultural education, and flexible operational response.

During the trial, the new operating model proved effective at dispersing crowds and attracting a broader audience. Daily opening removed the previous fixed closure days, giving visitors more flexibility; extended hours shifted daytime peak crowds to the evening and night, improving the overall viewing experience. The discounted tickets lowered the barrier to entry, drawing many young people and families who rarely visit museums. The data and on‑site feedback confirmed the high enthusiasm of Taiwanese citizens for top‑tier cultural exhibitions and provided the museum with valuable experience in managing large‑scale visitor flows.

After the trial ends on September 13, the Northern Branch will spend the next two days on internal organization and facility maintenance before returning to its regular schedule on September 15. Future visitors will need to follow the museum’s standard opening hours and closure policies. Although the week‑long daily‑open convenience will be lost, the museum’s rich and regular exhibitions remain the best destination for Taipei residents and international tourists to immerse themselves in Chinese culture and historical art.

Overall, the Northern Branch’s trial and withdrawal mechanisms demonstrate the national museum’s decisive response to sudden tourism surges and its ongoing effort to balance “conservation and maintenance of cultural relics” with “public access to cultural heritage.” By extending opening hours and offering discounted tickets, the museum successfully bridged the gap between national treasures and the public, allowing many to glimpse the solemn mystery of Long Cang Jing. With the return to normal operations on September 15, the National Palace Museum will continue to play a steady role in safeguarding and transmitting historical culture, continually infusing Taiwan’s arts and cultural environment with deep and inexhaustible energy. (Fact source: Central News Agency)