#Capital Art #Beijing #Visit #November 2018

This is one of the popular and very well known tourist destinations of Beijing. Originally an art museum, famous for exclusive collection of ancient porcelain, bronze, calligraphy, painting, jade, sculpture, Buddhist statues from imperial China and unique architecture – the museum is worthy enough to visit for the visitors. If you are in Beijing, considering not visiting this museum would definitely be a big miss! Plenty of artistic elements are there, exhibited nicely to allure the visitors. It is just a few minutes away from the nearest metro station and thus, reaching this place would not be a great deal of challenge for any visitor.

Beijing Capital Museum

This is a beautiful space. With over 80K artefacts, you won't worry that you missed somenthing about the Chinese culture, archeology and history. It is a massive building, forbidding from the outside; the interiors are extraordinarily well presented. The huge hall featuring a bronze cilinder the size of 5 story building and an archway from Ming dynasty centrally placed. We had a guided tour starting from the top floor; it can be exhausting - but it's well worth it. Model villages are particularly nice. The museum shop is on the lower underground level - again, this is a place to shop for beautifully manufactured replicas, althought these are not the cheapest in Beijing. But the friendliness of staff will put you at ease and you can have a bonus of looking at their packaging skills. #beijingtrip #urbanexplorer #oldarchitecture

Traces of the Fang States in the Shang Dynasty - The Liujiawa Cemetery in Pinggu

The Liujiawa cemetery in Pinggu from the Shang Dynasty reflects the cultural aspect of the 'Fang States' that was deeply influenced by the ritual system of the Shang Dynasty. The tomb contained over 40 items including bronze ware, gold objects, and jade artifacts. Among these were iron-edged bronze yue axes and jade axes, which were often symbols of royal authority during the Shang and Zhou periods, trumpet-shaped gold earrings, gold armlets with flattened ends that bear elements of the northern steppe culture, as well as complete sets of bronze ritual vessels from the Shang culture.

The Splendid Central Axis

The ancestors of China explored and measured time and space in their production and daily life, mastering the methods of determining time and spatial orientation by measuring the shadow of the sun and observing the heavens. In this process, the concept of 'center' as beauty and honor was formed, and it was extended to the social domain, developing the values and order of 'honoring the center' and 'imitating heaven and earth': Heaven is centered around the 'Pole Star', the Earth is centered around the 'Central Soil', and the human world is centered around the 'Son of Heaven'; 'center' represents a visible order, and 'harmony' is the value pursuit, that is, 'achieving centrality and harmony'. All of these are regulated and realized through 'rites', as it is said, 'the purpose of rites is to be responsible for harmony'. In the selection and planning of the capital city, the principle of 'honoring the center' led to the concept of 'governing from the center'—the capital city is at the 'center' of the nation, and the emperor resides at the 'center' of the capital city. With the 'Ninefold Palace of the Son of Heaven' as the axis, extending north and south, expanding east and west, a city architecture and cultural space sequence with the symbolic meaning of 'establishing the center and reaching the extremes' was formed—the capital's 'central axis'. The Beijing central axis is planned, constructed, and perfected with reference to the ancient ideal capital paradigm depicted with a layout facing the market in the back, ancestral temples on the left and altars to the gods of soil and grain on the right, and a symmetrical layout at its core, showcasing the creativity and talent of Chinese civilization in urban planning and construction from the 13th century to the present.

The magnificent central axis, a powerful testament to Chinese civilization

- Capital Museum. The Capital Museum, referred to as 'Shoubo', is located at No. 16 Fuxingmenwai Street, Xicheng District, Beijing. It is a museum that integrates collection, exhibition, research, archaeology, public education, and cultural exchange. It covers an area of 24,800 square meters, with a total construction area of 63,390 square meters, consisting of two underground levels and five above-ground levels. The museum's collection includes types of artifacts such as bronzes, ceramics, and Buddhist statues. As of the end of 2019, the Capital Museum houses 124,808 pieces/sets of collections, among which 63,170 pieces/sets are considered precious cultural relics. It is a national first-level museum. In February 2024, the Capital Museum will reappear in a new light. After renovation and upgrading, the museum's basic exhibition will be based on its collection over the years and newly unearthed cultural relics from the Beijing area. It will incorporate the latest research findings from history, archaeology, and related disciplines, and draw on the beneficial experiences of museums at home and abroad, aiming to better showcase the historical and cultural heritage of Beijing. Location No. 16 Fuxingmenwai Street, Xicheng District, Beijing Opening Hours Tuesday to Sunday 9:00—17:00 (entry stops at 16:00), closed on Mondays (except for statutory holidays) Ticket Price Free admission, reservation required Capital Museum

Beijing Outing with Kids | Taking the kids to the Capital Museum to explore and understand the history of the capital

🌈In Beijing, where is the best place to take kids for both educational and fun experiences? The Capital Museum is definitely the top choice for a family outing! 🏛️Museum Introduction The Capital Museum, located on the extended line of West Chang'an Avenue in Beijing, is a comprehensive museum that integrates collection, exhibition, research, archaeology, public education, and cultural exchange. It not only houses a wealth of historical relics but also features regular special exhibitions that are a feast for the eyes! 👀 🎉Unique Activities 🔸 Visit the 'Ancient Capital Beijing - Historical and Cultural Chapter' exhibition to understand the historical changes of Beijing. 🔸 In the 'Splendid Central Axis' exhibition, let children experience the glory and beauty of the capital city, celebrating its 870th anniversary as the capital. 🔸 The family interactive area, where you can DIY cultural relic models, allows children to touch history with their own hands. 🎈Tips for Outing with Kids 1️⃣ Book in advance to avoid queuing. 2️⃣ Bring some snacks and water, as the dining options inside the museum are limited. 3️⃣ Prepare an explainer or rent one to help children better understand the exhibits. 4️⃣ Participate in the family interactive area and make crafts with your children to deepen their memory. 5️⃣ Consider buying cultural and creative ice cream for the kids, it tastes pretty good! 📍Address: No. 16, Fuxingmenwai Street, Xicheng District, Beijing 🕙Opening Hours: Tuesday to Sunday from 9:00-17:00 (entry stops at 16:00, closed on Mondays) 🎫Tickets: Free🆓, advance reservation is required. 📋Notice 🔹 Please do not touch the exhibits and start protecting cultural relics from yourself. 🔹 Follow the museum's regulations and do not speak loudly. 🔹 Watch your children to prevent them from getting lost. 🍎I am Apple, who loves to wander around, see you in the next issue

Visit the Capital Museum for the Liao-Jin Dynasties Exhibition!

Visit the Capital Museum for the General History Exhibition, the exhibition on the second floor of the west side hall is the most attractive to me. What did Beijing look like during the Liao and Jin dynasties? What artifacts have been unearthed? The exhibition can answer these questions. Starting from the 9th century, the ancient Khitan and Jurchen tribes in the northeast of China rose one after another. The Khitans established the Liao Dynasty (916-1125), and the Jurchens established the Jin Dynasty (1115-1234). Beijing was upgraded from a secondary capital to the capital of the dynasty. The terracotta figurines of the Khitan people, rich in ethnic characteristics, are on display. There is also an animated presentation of the Khitan custom of 'Na Bo'. In addition, the exhibited gilded silver masks are very attractive. Metal masks covering the face were a common burial custom among the Khitan nobility. Such masks have been frequently found in tombs in Inner Mongolia and Liaoning, and they are a unique evidence reflecting the appearance of the Khitan people.

Visit the Capital Museum to admire the oldest Beiwei Taihe sculpture in the capital!

The Beiwei Taihe sculpture is now housed in the Capital Museum, located on the second floor of the general history exhibition hall on the west side of the museum. It is the most complete and oldest stone Buddha statue remaining in Beijing. The grand Buddha statue represents Sakyamuni, with a total height of 2.2 meters and a width of 1.16 meters. The Buddha statue itself is 1.65 meters tall, standing barefoot on a lotus stone base over 1 meter high. The face of the Buddha is dignified and full, with a spiral bun on top of the head, ears that hang down to the shoulders, a bare chest, and a kasaya draped diagonally. The sleeves touch the ground, and the robe's folds are smooth convex lines. The left hand is brought together and slightly bent downward in a 'wish-granting' gesture, while the right hand is bent at the elbow in front of the chest in a 'fearlessness' gesture. The upper body is clothed in a monk's robe, and the lower body in silk pants with a chrysanthemum pattern, with smooth and distinct folds. On both sides of the Buddha's body and in the halo around the head, there are 31 celestial musicians carved, playing drums and flutes, as well as a great Peng bird with golden wings at the very top of the Buddha's head. The flowing garments of the celestial beings are reminiscent of the musicians in Dunhuang. The entire sculpture is balanced and perfect in composition, with smooth and delicate lines, harmonious and vivid colors, and exquisite carving techniques. Behind the Buddha is a 2.2-meter-tall backlight, with 12 rows of small Buddha statues arranged horizontally from top to bottom, varying in number and size, totaling 124. The small Buddhas are generally 12 centimeters high, with the smallest one being 4 centimeters. On both sides stand relief statues of the disciples Ananda and Kashyapa. Today, the amethyst originally embedded in the Buddha's forehead has been stolen, but the carved flame patterns and honeysuckle decorations still remain, adding to the statue's solemn and splendid appearance. This Beiwei Taihe sculpture, originally located in Che'erying Village, Sujia Tun area, Haidian District, Beijing, is the most complete and oldest Buddha statue carved from a single piece of granite in Beijing. According to records, it was built in the 23rd year of Taihe of Emperor Xiaowen of the Northern Wei Dynasty (499), and it has a history of over 1,500 years. Unfortunately, on the night of March 25, 1998, a group of professional treasure thieves stole this rare treasure. During the theft, the sculpture was broken into five pieces, resulting in some damage to the edges and corners. Six months later, the public security department finally caught the criminals in Yangping Town, Quyang, Hebei, and recovered the Buddha statue. After restoration by experts from the Beijing cultural relics department, for the safety of the Buddha, it was decided not to return it to the stone pagoda in Che'erying Village but to place it on public display in the Capital Museum. Thus, the Beiwei Taihe sculpture became the 'treasure of the museum'.

Beijing - The City of Museums: 'The Capital Museum' (Part One)

It's worth visiting the Capital Museum multiple times! I had been there once before, and it might have been because it was still a 'special' period, there weren't many visitors, and only the east wing of the museum was open, giving it a somewhat deserted feel. A few days ago, the TV mentioned that there is now a Dragon Year special exhibition, and wow, today it's packed! Despite being a workday, the crowds are surging! Now, not only the east wing but also the west wing has officially 'launched'. The first floor features the Beijing Central Axis exhibition, the second, third, and fourth floors cover the comprehensive history of Beijing, and upstairs there are exhibitions on Beijing's opera gardens and folk customs. There's even a Xinjiang archaeological special exhibition on the B1 floor, and to see it all would take at least half a day! Museums nowadays are no longer about the simple display of artifacts; they employ sound, light, and electricity, along with many interactive devices, making all the exhibition areas interesting. Adults and children learn and discuss as they go, and when they're tired and hot, why not buy a cultural creative popsicle? Friends with kids could easily spend a whole day here without any issues!

Beijing - The City of Museums: 'Capital Museum' (Part Three)

It's worth visiting the Capital Museum multiple times! I had been there once before, and it might have been because it was still a 'special' period, there weren't many visitors, and only the East Wing was open for exhibitions, giving it a somewhat deserted feel. A few days ago, the TV mentioned that there is now a special exhibition for the Year of the Dragon, and wow, today it's packed with people! Despite it being a workday, the crowds are surging! Now, not only the East Wing but also the West Wing has officially 'launched'. The first floor features the Beijing Central Axis exhibition, the second, third, and fourth floors cover the comprehensive history of Beijing, and there's also a Beijing Opera Garden exhibition and a Beijing Folk Customs exhibition upstairs, plus a Xinjiang Archaeological special exhibition on the B1 floor. To see everything would take at least half a day! Today's museums are no longer just about simply displaying artifacts; they now offer a full array of audiovisual and interactive devices, making all the exhibition areas interesting. Adults and children can learn and discuss as they go. If you're tired and hot, why not buy a cultural creative popsicle? For friends with kids, spending a whole day here is no problem at all!

Beijing - The City of Museums: 'Capital Museum' (Part Two)

It's worth visiting the Capital Museum multiple times! I had been there once before, and it might have been because it was still a 'special' period, there weren't many visitors, and only the East Wing was open, giving it a somewhat deserted feel. A few days ago, the TV mentioned that there is now a Dragon Year special exhibition, and wow, today it's packed! Despite people being back at work, the crowds are surging! Now, in addition to the East Wing, the West Wing has also officially 'launched'. The first floor features the Beijing Central Axis exhibition, the second, third, and fourth floors cover the comprehensive history of Beijing, and there's also a Beijing Opera Garden exhibition and a Beijing Folk Customs exhibition upstairs, plus a Xinjiang Archaeological special exhibition in the B1 level. To see all of this, you'd need at least half a day! Today's museums are no longer just about simply displaying artifacts; they now incorporate sound, light, and electricity, along with many interactive devices, making all the exhibition areas interesting. Adults and children learn and discuss as they go, and if you're tired or hot, why not buy a cultural creative popsicle? Friends with kids could easily spend a whole day here without any issues!

Talking about the Past and Beijing - The Stone Buddha of the Northern Wei Dynasty's Taihe Period

Following the last story, this time I want to share with you the story of the most beautiful stone Buddha in Beijing. My first encounter with it came from a series of works about the Phoenix Ridge in the west of Beijing in Mr. Wang's 'Old Scenes of the Ancient Capital'. Later, through various online information, I learned more about its story, and this time I decided to go find it and show it to everyone. The Capital Museum reopened after more than half a year of renovation and exhibition preparation. It is said that the glass cover was removed from this stone Buddha to allow visitors a closer look, so I took the opportunity of the first snow in the Jia Chen year in Beijing to visit the museum again. Heading straight to the second floor, the Beijing General History Exhibition, the stone Buddha is displayed here. Who is this stone Buddha? He is the Northern Wei Dynasty's Taihe Stone Buddha! The Buddha statue is 1.65 meters tall and stands on a Sumeru lotus base over 1 meter high. The Buddha's face is dignified and full, with a spiral bun on his head, ears hanging over his shoulders, wearing a kasaya that is draped diagonally, with long sleeves touching the ground, bare-chested and barefoot. The left hand is clasped and slightly bent down in the 'Wish-Granting Mudra', while the right hand is bent at the elbow in front of the chest in the 'Fearless Mudra'. The upper body is dressed in a monk's robe, and the lower body in silk pants with a chrysanthemum pattern, with smooth and clearly defined folds. On both sides and above the Buddha's body, there are 31 celestial musicians carved into the halo, playing drums and flutes. Behind the Buddha is a 2.2-meter-tall backlight, and behind the backlight, there are 12 rows of small Buddha statues arranged horizontally from top to bottom, with varying numbers in each row and different sizes, totaling 124 statues. The small Buddhas are generally 0.12 meters high, with the smallest one being 0.04 meters. There are two relief statues beside the Buddha, likely representing Ananda and Kashyapa, disciples of Shakyamuni. There are some grooves around the Buddha statue, which look like ancient mortise and tenon structures, suggesting that the statue might have been integrated with other buildings at the time of carving. There are also two holes on it, the purpose of which is unknown. The Buddha statue is painted with cinnabar. The overall layout of the statue is rigorous, the carving technique is simple, and the decoration is rich, making it a fine example of stone carving in the region. Below the statue, there is an inscription that reads 'On the fifteenth day of the third month of the twenty-third year of Taihe, Yan Huiduan made this statue for the Emperor and the Empress Dowager', providing us with the exact date of the statue's creation. The thirteenth year of the Northern Wei Dynasty's Taihe period corresponds to the year 499 AD, when the ambitious Emperor Xiaowen, Yuan Hong, passed away in April. The Taihe Stone Buddha is the earliest known stone Buddha statue in Beijing. Although there has always been controversy over the age of the Buddha statue, its thematic style is believed to be carved during the Northern Wei Dynasty's Taihe period. The backlight and other decorations of the Buddha statue do not match the style of the time and may have been added later. Some say that the Empress Dowager mentioned refers to the famous historical figure Empress Dowager Feng, and the Buddha's face was also modeled after her. Yan Huirui might have been the founder! During the Guangxu period of the Qing Dynasty, the 'Shuntian Prefecture Gazette' recorded that in the sixth year of Guangxu (1880), Zhang Yunyi from Tongzhou discovered the statue. This news spread quickly and caught the attention of Emperor Guangxu, who ordered the Buddha statue to be transported to the Western Hills and assigned a Yao family to guard it, allocating funds to build a Stone Buddha Hall to house the statue. The earliest record of the Stone Buddha Hall comes from the Qing Dynasty's Zhi Run's 'Ji Ying Xuan Floating Life Daily Record'. In 1929, Feng Kuan wrote in 'Miaofeng Mountain Miscellaneous Records': 'There is a south-facing cave, with a valley built in front, and the Stone Buddha Hall is to the northwest of the cave. There is a mountain gate, three bays wide, all facing east... The temple is known as the Stone Buddha Hall, and it is unknown if there is a name for the monastery.' There is also the 'Beijing Travel Guide' compiled by Ma Zhixiang in 1935: 'The temple faces west to east, the mountain gate has collapsed, the Buddha hall has three layers, also in ruins, the front hall has a Wei Tuo, and the middle hall is the main hall, housing the stone Buddha.' From these records, it is known that the Stone Buddha Hall had a three-bay mountain gate, three-story halls, with Wei Tuo in the front hall and the main hall housing the stone Buddha. During the Republic of China period, the Stone Buddha Hall was on the verge of collapse. Li Shi, the chairman of the Sino-French University at the time, saw this and invited Duan Qiguang, who had studied architectural design in France, to oversee the reconstruction. The design was modeled after the Simenta Pagoda in Licheng, Shandong, with a European style. Skilled stonemasons from nearby Baihujian Village were hired to build the Stone Buddha Hall. The hall has a square floor plan, with each side measuring 5 meters, walls 3.2 meters high, and high arches 2.2 meters on each side. The base of the platform has four levels of vertical bands for steps, and the top is decorated with an octagonal pyramid spire. Standing is a square granite building with a spire slightly featuring Western characteristics, about 8 meters high, with arched windows on all four sides, constructed from thirteen layers of stone, subtly reflecting the 'thirteen heavens' pattern of a pagoda. The exterior of the Stone Buddha Hall is simple and unadorned, solid and stable. Inside the stone building, a stone Buddha statue was once preserved. In March 1998, 1499 years after the Buddha statue was carved, an outlaw stole the statue from Cheerying. During the theft, the statue was broken into five pieces, with some edges damaged, but later recovered by the police. On September 30 of the same year, the Wei Taihe statue was moved back to Beijing, and the criminals received their due punishment. Fortunately, after the restoration, the Buddha statue was housed in the Beijing Stone Carving Art Museum and later in the Capital Museum, which is the one we see before us today. Despite the trials and tribulations, the stone Buddha can still be displayed almost completely intact, greeting visitors from all directions with its classic, enchanting smile. I will not praise this place further for now; listen for the continuation in the next episode.

What can you do at the Capital Museum?

I'm planning to take the kids to Yuyuantan Park this weekend, and just so happened to pass by the Capital Museum, so I booked a visit for Sunday morning. Here's what I found you can do on the 1st floor and B1: 1. The Central Axis Exhibition. As soon as you enter the exhibition hall and turn right, you'll see the Central Axis Exhibition, which is quite popular. Both adults and children find it very interesting. Besides the historical and cultural knowledge, I personally really liked the sand table of the central axis, which, along with the changing lights around it, was very appealing to the kids. Another feature is the simulated photography; you can stand in different spots on the floor, and the background changes accordingly. For example, if you stand on the spot marked 'Temple of Heaven', the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests appears in the background for photos, giving you the feeling of being right there. After the Central Axis Exhibition, we went straight to B1. 2. 'Paper Space Family Board Game'. Next to the restaurant, there's a 'Paper Space' where two free family activities are available. Just register your personal information (name, ID number, and phone number) and you can experience it for free. I chose the Central Axis puzzle, which was quite interesting, and the kids loved it. There are two staff members in this area; one gentleman was very enthusiastic, actively introducing the exhibition and family activities. The other lady sat there without actively introducing anything, meaning if you didn't know there were activities available, you probably wouldn't participate. However, she was very friendly towards children, though a bit stern with adults. 3. 'Capital Museum Exploration' Archaeological Dig. Beyond the Paper Space, there's a small bamboo forest that's quite nice, and past that, you'll see an area for digging in the dirt called 'Capital Museum Exploration'. This is mainly a simulation of an archaeological site, where kids can put on shoe covers and clothes to start digging. For 168 yuan, you can dig for an hour and take home one item you find. I saw some kids dig up ancient coins and others ancient weapons, all different. Teachers are available to guide you, and overall, it's especially popular with the kids. There are also some souvenirs for sale that I think are quite interesting and worth checking out. Additionally, right outside this area is an exhibition on Xinjiang archaeological surveys, which matches the theme well. 4. 'Capital Museum Postcard Stamping'. Right outside the 'Capital Museum Exploration', there's a place to buy postcards. A set of postcards costs 48 yuan, and you can get stamps at different locations in the museum, then collect a full set. Many kids enjoy this activity, and finding the stamping locations is a fun process for them, plus it's not expensive. 5. Intangible Cultural Heritage Handicrafts. Continuing on, you'll see a place selling Capital Museum Year of the Ox souvenirs. Here you can do some crafts, which cost about 150+ yuan. Since we were short on time, I just asked the staff how long it takes to make one, and they replied 'it varies from person to person', so I didn't try it. 6. Claw Machine. Next to the handicrafts area, there are a few claw machines which I thought were interesting. Apart from traditional dolls, there were some vase-shaped dolls that seemed intriguing. I'm just average at claw machines, and after spending 12 yuan without feeling like I was about to win a doll, I gave up. Overall, the Capital Museum is a very interesting place. But as a free museum, if you want to take the kids and spend nothing, you still need a bit of determination, haha.

Capital Museum

The Capital Museum, there is a special exhibition of the Beijing Central Axis recently, displaying the unearthed cultural relics and construction process of the Beijing Central Axis. The Yan bronze ware is a permanent exhibition, the bronze ware has various shapes, some utensils have distinct grassland colors. The Buddha Pagoda exhibition is beautifully displayed. Remember to take a photo and check in at the Jingde Street Archway at the entrance~

Capital Museum!!;)