The National Theater and Concert Hall are two of the most visible and well-recognized landmarks in Taipei. They illustrate the active role that arts and culture play in the lives of Taiwanese people.

Artistic traditions from all over the world are represented on the NTCH stages, from ballet to Broadway, Shakespearean drama to homegrown Taiwanese opera and puppetry – you can see it all at the NTCH.

The NTCH serves as a second home to internationally-acclaimed Taiwanese companies like Cloud Gate Dance Theater, Yang Li Hwa Taiwanese Opera, and the Ming Hwa Yuan Theater Troupe. It also plays host to a diverse array of renowned international artists each year. Past performers have included cellist Ma Yo-Yo, tenors Domingo and Pavarotti, the Mariinsky Ballet, the Vienna Boys' Choir, and the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra.

Thanks to NTCH Director Pi-twan Huang and Deputy Director Maria Chiu for graciously opening up the NTCH to WTIC Art & Culture interest group on November 23. 40 members took the opportunity to admire NTCH's magnificent architecture and interior design – the traditional Chinese palace structure with gold roofs and overturned edges, Chinese red colonnades and colorful arches, gorgeous crystal chandeliers, vertical orchid garden etc.