The Taiwan High Speed Rail Corp. (THSRC) today inaugurated a specially decorated train to promote the opening of the National Palace Museum (NPM) Southern Branch on December 28. Vice Premier Chang San-cheng, who was on hand for the unveiling, said that travelers to the southern branch will be able to enjoy the museum's ambiance as soon as they board the train.
"The high speed rail is an important mode of transportation along the length of Taiwan. The special train launched today will serve as a symbolic link between the NPM's northern and southern branches," Chang said.
Soon, Taiwan's cultural atmosphere will be felt not only at the Southern Branch, but right from the international airport to the high-speed rail to the branch itself, he added. From the start to the end of their trip, foreign visitors will be able to see what a culturally rich place Taiwan truly is.
The eagerly awaited NPM branch is expected to boost culture and tourism in southern Taiwan and make Chiayi a major sightseeing destination. The new site will also provide ample display space for the nation's cultural treasures while easing the crowds at the main NPM in Taipei.
The specially decorated train marks the first cooperative effort between the NPM and THSRC, a museum official said. The decorations were inspired by three blue-and-white porcelain pieces from the museum: a celestial globe vase decorated with a dragon, a flask adorned with flowers of the four seasons, and a teapot with phoenix decorations. The dragon pattern adorns the front of the train, flowering grass bloom along the side of the train, and the phoenix is perched beside several car entrances. For the traveler's enjoyment, the blue-and-white motifs even appear on the train's headrest covers, paper cups and table napkins.