本書是國立故宮博物院最新出版的英文版簡介，距離上次簡介出版已經超過十年，除進行內容修訂與更新外，希望能展開更全面的視野。本書可以讓從未造訪過故宮的外籍遊客，在很短的時間內快速認識故宮概況，不必擔心會錯過任何主要的藏品。另一方面， 若是已來過故宮無數次的熟客，也可以細細玩味。書中所精選的典藏，是否與您的看法不同？或從我們提供的文物局部放大圖，發現一些初次的驚喜，或是品味想再次觀賞的細節，從中找出不同的趣味。
本書的編排如下。首先，敘述故宮藏品的歷史淵源，包括文物搬遷的經過，以及館舍興建與院區的擴展，展現故宮由早期宮廷格 局走向國際級現代博物館的歷程。其次，藉由精選藏品與展覽，一窺故宮典藏之堂奧，從近七十萬 件中精選出的 86 件故宮文物，包含了最受歡迎的熱門藏品、難得出現的限展國寶以及令人激賞的新入典藏作品。除了對作品 內容予以解說，也略述這些作品的創作者及其在歷史上的關鍵。所選藏品分別來自不同部門：陶瓷、青銅器、玉器、珍玩、 繪畫、書法、善本古籍、檔案、輿圖、宗教藝術、織品等。
書中也介紹不同部門藏品的常設展覽與主題展覽，讓您可以按圖索 驥，規劃參觀路線，從展覽中所描述的主題變化，更能看出故宮建立與塑造本院典藏的努力與見解，也反映出近年來的全球化觀 點與多樣性。文物展示之外，故宮近年來文物的保存修復、教育推廣、文創 行銷、結合數位科技等方面，也不斷地推陳出新，本書的第三部 份呈現了故宮在這些方面的努力。藉由不同面向的拓展，讓更多 不同族群的人們都可以欣賞故宮文物之美，但本書僅能提供初步的介紹，更多詳盡的內容可以到我們的網站上瀏覽下載與更新。
同樣的，如果您想欣賞書中所介紹的文物，但恰巧不在展示中， 歡迎您到我們建置的文物典藏資料庫與主題網站獲得更多了解。國立故宮博物院自 1965 年在臺北外雙溪正式開館以來，即躋身 世界著名的博物館之林，不僅是國內民眾必遊之地，也是國外旅 客到台灣旅遊的熱門景點，每年有數百萬國內外旅客到訪，因此 本書最後也介紹故宮北部與南部兩個院區的周邊景觀與交通資訊，從外雙溪北部院區的古典庭園，到嘉義南部院區的宏偉建築， 都是您在欣賞文物之餘，值得一遊的景點。無論是否首次到訪，這本設計精巧、容易攜帶的小書，都是適合外籍觀眾快速瞭解故宮的一本工具書。
This book is the new official guide to the National Palace Museum (NPM), more than a decade since the last guidebook was published. In addition to offering a full revision and updates to the major artworks in the NPM's collection, this text will also help readers explore new horizons of the museum. First-timers to the NPM will benefit most from this book, and conceivably receive a comprehensive overview of the whole museum. Readers who have been to the museum many times will enjoy comparing the artworks selected by the NPM's departmental curators with their own preferences. Perusing the pages of this text can lead to finding new curiosities, or rediscovering old favorites.
This book is organized as follows: The first part briefs the history of the NPM, including the journey of the collection to Taiwan. It also traces the expansion of the museum's buildings and sites, in line with the NPM's continued efforts to evolve from imperial tradition into a modern, world-class museum. The second part of the book showcases 86 artworks in the NPM's collection, including the museum's most beloved pieces, rarely seen treasures, and exciting new acquisitions. The selected works in this text are just several of the nearly 700,000 items in the NPM's collection, including ceramics, bronzes, jades, curios, paintings, calligraphy, rare books, archival materials, maps, textiles, and religious artworks. Shifting exhibit themes not only reflect a global perspective and increased diversity, but also offer intriguing insight into the NPM's considerations when building and shaping its unique collection.
In addition to managing its collections and exhibitions, the NPM's recent endeavors in conservation, education, cultural creativity, research, and development are also presented in the third part of this book. It is the NPM's intention to invite diverse audiences to appreciate the beauty of the museum's collections, from multiple perspectives. As one of the world's most famous museums, the NPM has been a top destination for travelers ever since it first opened to the public in 1965. Millions of domestic and international visitors will find useful information on the NPM and nearby scenery at the end of this book, offering an indispensable look at both the NPM's classically reimagined Northern Branch on a Taipei hillside and the dazzling Southern Branch in Chiayi. Whether a regular visitor or someone who hasn't yet made the trip, this richly illustrated and beautifully designed text is invaluable.
