The Capital Museum

Image from the official website of the Capital Museum. 

The Capital Museum is located in the Confucius Temple at Guozijian Street, southeast of Andingmen (Peace and Stability Gate), Beijing. The museum is a palace of Beijing culture. Its collections demonstrate the long development of the city, showcasing its magnificent living history of 500,000 years, urban history of 3,000 years and history as the Chinese capital for 800 years. The museum also presents cultural and artistic exhibitions from different regions.

History

Planning for it began in 1953, but it opened to the public only on October 1, 1981. A major cultural construction project in Beijing in the "10th Five-Year Plan", the museum began renovations in December 2001.

The new museum underwent trial operations in December 2005 and was officially opened on May 18, 2006. With its magnificent architecture, abundant exhibitions, advanced technology and complete functions, the museum contributes to Beijing's standing as a famous historical and cultural city, a cultural centre and an international metropolis and ranks among first class museums both at home and abroad. It was named a State First-class Museum in 2008.

Collection

The exhibition presents Beijing's history in six sections: (1) the development of an organized community from ancient settlements; (2) historical remains of the former sites of the Yan State; (3) gradual development as an important northern center; (4) the capital of half of China during the Liao and Jin dynasties; (5) the world renowned Yuan Dynasty capital, Dadu; and (6) the political center of the Ming and Qing dynasties (1268-1840).

Among the 83,000 cultural relics on display, most were unearthed in the Beijing area and 305 pieces are of the first grade in cultural relics. The treasures include stone wares, bronze wares, ceramics, stone inscriptions, calligraphy and paintings, etc. For instance, a Shang Dynasty (17th- 11th century BC) bronze wine vessel decorated with three rams; a Western Zhou (11th century - 771BC) bronze tripod; and a bronze ox cast during the Tang Dynasty (618-917). Other ancient pieces include an earthenware teapot of the Spring and Autumn Period (770-476BC); a gilded Buddha inlaid with turquoise of the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368); a blue and white lotus plate of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644); and a folding fan of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) with an ivory handle inlaid with precious stones and a tiny watch.

Adress: No 16, Fuxingmenwai Street, Xicheng District, Beijing

Open hours: 9:00 - 17:00 (Tuesday -- Sunday, no admission after 16:00)

            Closed on Mondays (except on national holidays)

E-mail: gugong@dpm.org.cn

Ticket: 60 yuan (April 1 - October 31)

        40 yuan (November 1 - March 31)

Online booking: http://www.capitalmuseum.org.cn/capitalmuseum/englishwsyy/wsyy.jsp