National Museum of China

Written by Sally Guo Updated Jul. 9, 2021

China is one of the civilizations with the longest history in the world. Located on the eastern side of Tiananmen Square, the National Museum of China in Beijing has witnessed the development of the country. The museum boasts large numbers of artworks and cultural heritage. It opens to the public from Tuesday to Sunday except for official holidays.

National Museum of China Facts

  • Entrance Fee: free
  • Address: 16 East Chang’an Street, Dongcheng District, Beijing (east side of Tian'anmen Square)
  • Opening Hours: 09:00-17:00 (the last admission at 16:00, closed on Mondays)
  • Recommended Visiting Time: 2 hours

National Museum of China Exhibits

National Museum of China

National Museum of China is an architecture covering an area of nearly 200,000 square meters. As the largest single-building museum in the world, it possesses 48 exhibition halls and more than 14 million collections.

There are all kinds of exhibitions all year round, including regular and permanent exhibitions, thematic exhibitions, and special exhibitions. The most distinctive and recommended is the Exhibition of Ancient China, which is display at Galleries N20-N25, S15-S18, S20 at the 1st basement floor (B1 level).

The 2026 art and cultural heritages here are organized by 8 different periods of ancient times in China.

1. Exhibits for Prehistoric Times

In the Exhibits for Prehistoric Times (2 million years ago - 21st century BC), you can see the cultural relics and replicas used by people who lived in the Paleolithic times. Relics like stone tools, prey debris, traces in making fire, bone needles, and decorations like shells and teeth described a vivid picture of lives in those times.

Matriarchy village models showed the development of the Neolithic Age. Handicraft industry, written words, culture, and religions came into being with the development of farming technology.

2. Exhibits for Xia, Shang, and Zhou Dynasties

During the Dynasties of Xia, Shang, and Zhou (21st century BC - 771 BC), Bronze casting reaches its peak. It is the famous “Bronze Age” in Chinese history. Writing words on oracles and bronzes is the way to record things at the time. Bronze inscriptions and inscriptions on oracle bones can be seen here.

3. Exhibits for Spring and Autumn and Warring States Periods

770 BC - 221 BC is one of the turbulent periods of Chinese history, with wars happened frequently. However, it is also a time when culture and art flourished. There are many famous relics related to famous historical figures in this period that can be seen here.

For example, “Qin Gong” Bronze Gui is a food container from 576 BC to 537 BC. The inscription inside this gui records that Qin Jing Gong (ruler of Qin State) was determined to continue the work of his predecessors and guard their land.

4. Exhibits for Qin and Han Dynasties

the First Emperor of Qin

After centuries of wars between rival states, China entered a new era of unification under one empire beginning in the Qin and Han Dynasties (221 BC - 220 AD). The invention and application of new technology accelerated social development and enriched people's lives

Terracotta figures, Bian Nian Ji (Annals) on Bamboo Slips and Yangling Bronze Tiger-Shaped Tally for troop movement are the typical relics of the Qin Dynasty.

While Jade Shroud Fastened with Gold Threads, Painted Bronze Lamp in the Shape of Goose Carrying Fish showed the prosperity of the Han Dynasty.

5. Exhibits for Three Kingdoms, Jin, and Southern and Northern Dynasties

The ethnic integration in the period of Three Kingdoms, Western and Eastern Jin and Southern and Northern Dynasties (220 AD - 589 AD) promoted the development of craftsmanship. Porcelain and celadon arts at this time are remarkable.

Collection Highlights: Black-glazed Pottery Hunping with Pavilion and Buddhas (funerary urn), Celadon Zun Container with Lotus Petal Design, Glass Cup with Net Pattern.

6. Exhibits for Period of Sui, Tang, and the Five Dynasties

Dynasties of Sui and Tang (581 AD - 907 AD) are the most prosperous periods in China, especially in its early times. Tang tri-colored glazed pottery is the masterpiece of this time.

Despite incessant war throughout the Five Dynasties period (907-960 AD), cultural achievements still kept growing. Painted Stone Relief with Warrior is a representative art of this period.

7. Exhibits for Dynasties of Liao, Song, Xia, Jin, and Yuan

This exhibition shows the great achievement of the period (916-1368 AD) in agriculture and the handicraft industry. Impressive collections of this period include:

Copperplate for Printing Needle Shop Advertisement, Zhiyuan Tongxing Baochao (paper currency), Porcelain Vase with Dragon-shaped Handles and Openwork Stand, Jun Ware.

8. Exhibits for Min and Qing Dynasties

Exhibits for Qing Dynasties

The Ming and Qing dynasties (1368 AD – 1911 AD) were the last stage of the ancient Chinese dynasty system. The exhibits of this period feature exquisite porcelain and paintings.

Collection Highlights: Porcelain Zun (vessel) with Swallows and Gold-painted Design, the album of “Strange Tales of Liaozhai”, the handscroll of “Qianlong Emperor’s Southern Inspection Tour: Street Market at Qianmen”.

The Road of Rejuvenation

The Road of Rejuvenation is another permanent exhibition in the National Museum of China which is displayed on the 2nd and 3rd floor. It recorded the history of Modern China from the Opium War in 1840 to the foundation of the People’s Republic of China in 1949. There are more than 2300 relics which include documents, pictures, models, paintings, sculptures, etc.

Useful Travel Tips

passport
  • The museum is free to enter but you still need to pick up a free ticket with your passport at the entrance.
  • It is suggested to visit the museum at noon on weekdays (except Chinese holidays: May 1-5th, October 1-8th) to avoid waiting in lines.
  • It would be easy to visit if you combine the National Museum of China with Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City.
  • You can not smoke in the museum.
  • Do not use flash, selfie stick, or tripod in visiting an exhibition where photography is allowed.
  • You need to dine in the designated area.

How to Get There?

By Bus: You can take the No.1, No.2, No. 52, No. 82, No.120 buses, or Sightseeing Line 2, Tourist Bus Line 1 and Line 2 and get off at Tian'anmen East Station.

By Subway: You can take Metro Line 1, get off at Tian'anmen East Station, and exit the station through Exit C or D.

Please Note: The northwest entrance of the museum is located on the east side of Tian'anmen Square. You will need to pass the Tian'anmen Square security checkpoint to arrive.

Visit National Museum of China with Us

Visit Beijing with us

The National Museum of China has very limited English explanations of its collections, which make it difficult for non-Chinese speakers to understand their history. If you book a museum tour with us, we’ll arrange a private knowledgeable guide for you. Feel free to contact us!

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