BeiJing-The National Museum
The National Museum
Location
It is located at No. 16, East Chang’an Avenue, Dongcheng District, Beijing. Situated on the east side of Tiananmen Square, it faces the Great Hall of the People on the west side of the square across the square. It is in the core area of the capital city, Beijing, with extremely convenient transportation. There are multiple subway lines and bus routes nearby that can reach it.
Opening Hours
It is open from 9:00 to 17:00 every Tuesday to Sunday (admission stops at 16:00). It is closed every Monday (except for national legal holidays). The opening hours of special exhibitions may be subject to adjustment, and specific information shall be subject to the official announcement.
Recommended Visiting Time
Due to the rich collection of cultural relics and numerous exhibitions in the museum, it is recommended to spend 4 to 6 hours visiting. If you want to visit each exhibition in detail, appreciate the exhibits, and even participate in some educational activities in the museum, it will be more sufficient to allocate a whole day.
Historical and Cultural Background
The history of the National Museum of China can be traced back to 1912. At that time, under the initiative of Mr. Cai Yuanpei, the Preparatory Office of the National Historical Museum was established in the Imperial College. In 1918, it was relocated to the area between Duanmen and Wumen of the Forbidden City and officially opened to the public in 1926. In 1959, the National Museum of Chinese History and the Museum of Chinese Revolution were completed and opened, respectively displaying the relevant contents of Chinese history and the Chinese revolution. In 2003, the two museums were merged to form the National Museum of China. The NMC has witnessed the development process of China’s modern and contemporary museum undertakings and also bears China’s long history and culture as well as the magnificent revolutionary and construction process. It is not only a place for collecting and displaying cultural relics but also an important position for inheriting and promoting Chinese culture and cultivating the national spirit.
Exhibitions and Collections
Basic Exhibition of Ancient China:
This is one of the core exhibitions of the NMC, systematically presenting the long historical process of China from ancient times to the end of the Qing Dynasty. Based on precious cultural relics, the exhibition vividly presents the brilliant achievements of ancient China in politics, economy, culture, science and technology, etc. through various cultural relics such as stone tools, bronze wares, porcelain, calligraphy and paintings, gold and silver wares. For example, the Simuwu Ding, as the largest and heaviest bronze ritual vessel unearthed in the world so far, demonstrates the superb craftsmanship of the bronze casting industry in the Shang Dynasty; the Four Rams Square Zun has a unique shape and exquisite craftsmanship and is the largest existing square bronze Zun of the Shang Dynasty in China.
Basic Exhibition of the Road to Rejuvenation:
This exhibition shows the various explorations carried out by the people of all classes in China who rose up to fight against humiliation and suffering and strived for national rejuvenation since the Opium War in 1840 when China fell into the abyss of a semi-colonial and semi-feudal society. In particular, it shows the glorious course of the Communist Party of China leading the people of all ethnic groups across the country to strive for national independence, people’s liberation, national prosperity, and people’s happiness. Through a large number of historical pictures, physical objects, documentary archives, etc., visitors can deeply feel the great changes in China’s modern and contemporary history.
Thematic Exhibitions:
The NMC often holds various thematic exhibitions covering multiple fields such as art, culture, history, and science and technology. For example, the exhibition of fine cultural relics from foreign museums allows visitors to appreciate the cultural charm of different countries and regions without going abroad; there are also exhibitions on traditional Chinese art, intangible cultural heritage, etc., which deeply explore and display the unique connotations of Chinese culture.
Collection Warehouses:
The NMC has a rich collection, with millions of cultural relics treasured in the warehouses, among which there are many national treasure-level cultural relics. These collections are the treasures of the Chinese nation’s history and culture and provide important physical materials for the study of China’s history, culture, art, etc.
Precautions
1.Make Reservations in Advance:
You need to make reservations for the visit in advance through the official website, WeChat official account, or other officially designated platforms of the National Museum of China. Reservations can be made 7 days in advance. After a successful reservation, enter the museum for a visit within the reserved time period with a valid certificate (ID card, passport, etc.).
2.Comply with Security Inspection Regulations:
You need to undergo strict security inspection when entering the museum. Prohibited items such as flammable and explosive items and controlled knives are not allowed, and liquids also need to be inspected. To save time, it is recommended to carry as few unnecessary items as possible.
3.Visit Civilizedly:
Please keep quiet during the visit in the museum and do not make loud noises; do not touch the exhibits to avoid damage; follow the signs in the museum and do not enter the unopened areas at will.
4.Take Care of the Environment:
Please consciously maintain the environmental hygiene in the museum, do not spit or litter, and jointly create a good visiting environment.
5.Arrange Your Time Properly:
Since the museum is large and has many exhibitions, it is recommended to plan the visiting route and time in advance, arrange rest reasonably, and avoid being too tired. Pay attention to the closing time and leave the museum on time.
6.Regulations for Special Exhibitions:
For some special exhibitions, there may be additional regulations and requirements, such as no photography allowed, separate ticket purchase required, etc. Please pay attention to the relevant announcements and prompts.
7.Keep Your Personal Belongings Safe:
During the visit, especially in crowded places, pay attention to keeping your personal belongings safe to prevent loss or theft. If necessary, you can use the lockers provided in the museum to store your items.