The newly renovated National Palace Museum will welcome visitors next year as an even more inviting, dynamic and interactive exhibition space. (Yang Hung-hsi)

In the last year or two, the venerable National Palace Museum has engaged in a breathtaking series of firsts. The museum has aired new commercials, made movies, created 3-D virtual artifacts, and even developed online video games! The museum celebrates its 80th anniversary in October. With new technologies and a new attitude, this anniversary marks a season of renewal for the museum and a vibrant revival for its ancient artifacts.

"More than 2,800 years ago, Chinese civilization emerged on the banks of the Yellow River. Flaming crucibles poured forth molten lead, forming such vessels as the Maogong Cauldron, a nearly 35-kilogram vessel. On the belly of the cauldron were inscribed 497 characters in seal script, telling of an alliance between two kingdoms.... At the beginning of the new century, a Westerner seeking out the latest trends travels to the East, discovering this ancient script in the National Palace Museum. 'Wow! This is so cool!' he says. He goes to a tattoo parlor and has the characters tattooed on his back. This man found what he was looking for at the National Palace Museum."