[2026 Beijing Attraction] The First Historical Archives of China (New Building) Travel Guide & Travel Experiences | Updated Mar

Real-time travel info for The First Historical Archives of China (New Building) on 2026.3.16

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Today's opening status: Closed for the day | Open tomorrow at 08:30–16:30 (admission ends at 16:00)

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Real traveler experiences and travel guides for The First Historical Archives of China (New Building) in March, 2026

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Guys, if you're planning a trip to China or just arrived, this is a must-read! 🤯 I thought Google Maps and Instagram would be enough, but in China, things work COMPLETELY differently. It's a completely different digital world. To avoid feeling like a caveman on your first day, save this list! 👇 1. WeChat (微信) — your Swiss Army knife 🇨🇳 Download it first! It has WhatsApp, Instagram*, Apple Pay, and car sharing. Locals don't use SMS or calls at all — they only use WeChat. And yes, you can pay through it too (link a card if possible). Without it, you'll be deaf and dumb. 2. Alipay (支付宝) — the other half of your wallet 💳 Also a payment system. Even old ladies with stalls on the street display QR codes for payment. Cash is almost never accepted here; you might not even find change! It's best to install both WeChat Pay and Alipay to be on the safe side. 3. DiDi (滴滴出行) — China's Uber 🚗 It's hard to hail a taxi on the street (everyone is busy using their apps). DiDi shows the price right away, so you don't have to explain your destination to the driver in Chinese. You can link your card or pay with Alipay. 4. Pleco — your pocket translator dictionary 📖 The best dictionary! The best thing is that it has a camera translation feature. I pointed my phone at a restaurant menu (which is all in Chinese) and immediately realized that you weren't ordering noodle soup, but chicken feet. 😅 A lifesaver when there's no internet. 5. VPN (v2ray, shadowrocket, etc.) — a must! 🔐 This is no joke. Instagram, #China #Beijing #Shanghai, Google, YouTube, and even Pinterest WON'T WORK here without a VPN. Install it and test it BEFORE the plane lands. Because buying a good, working VPN once you're in China is a quest. P.S. Forget Google Maps; Amap (高德地图) or Baidu Maps are king here, but they're in Chinese. It's better to learn how to navigate them right away. Have you ever had awkward situations in other countries because you didn't know the local rules? Share your experiences in the comments! 👇

🏛️ First Historical Archives of China 📍Address: No. 9 Qinian Street, Dongcheng District, Beijing 🕰️Opening Hours: Monday to Friday 9:00 AM - 4:30 PM (Remember to book in advance!) Here lies over 10 million precious Ming and Qing dynasty archives! 😍 Five centuries of national memory from the Ming to Qing dynasties are perfectly preserved～ ✨【Past and Present】 1925: Establishment of the Palace Museum Documentation Department 1980: Officially named the First Historical Archives of China July 2022: Grand opening of the new building A guardian of national memory that has witnessed the ravages of war and change! 🌟【Treasures of the Archives】 🔺 "Da Ming Hun Yi Tu" (The Amalgamated Map of the Ming Empire) - painted in 1389 Extends east to Japan 🇯🇵, west to Western Europe 🇪🇺, south to South Africa 🇿🇦, and north to Mongolia 🇲🇳 This is the oldest and largest surviving colored world map in China! 🇨🇳 🔺 "Equatorial Northern and Southern Star Charts" Exquisitely crafted ancient star maps Take you back to the era of stargazing and moon watching ✨ 🔺 Emperor Daoguang’s Secret Succession Box The highest royal secret! 👑 Unveil the Qing dynasty’s imperial succession selection system～ 📜【Special Archives】 ✔️ Original imperial red seal "Acknowledged" on emperor’s notes ✔️ Firsthand materials on Qing dynasty frontier governance ✔️ Precious records of Sino-foreign trade ✔️ Authentic court life chronicles 🏛️【Visitor Experience】 The museum houses exquisite dragon-patterned wooden chests and other artifacts Even more solemn and majestic under the night lights 👑 Touch the most authentic historical threads through original archives! 💡Tips: Free admission by reservation Recommend at least 2 hours for a visit Ideal for history enthusiasts seeking an in-depth tour Public guided tours available, definitely worth listening to Follow me for more tips on eating, drinking, and having fun in Beijing～[RedHeart]

The Jin Kui (Golden Chest) Repository of the First Historical Archives of China displays 120 Ming and Qing dynasty golden chests. These rarely seen chests have successfully preserved precious Ming and Qing archives, providing invaluable materials for future generations to study Ming and Qing history. The golden chests were used to store the imperial edicts, sacred instructions, and veritable records of the Ming and Qing emperors. In the Ming dynasty, these were called "Bao Xun" (precious edicts), compilations of imperial instructions; in the Qing dynasty, they were called "Sheng Xun" (sacred instructions), edicts and sayings of previous emperors admonishing their subjects. The veritable records were chronological chronicles of major events in the reigns of successive emperors. The golden chests were metal archival storage devices, equivalent to "safes." Each golden chest is approximately 135 cm long, 75 cm wide, and 130 cm high, weighing over 160 kg. They were made of nanmu wood and covered with gilded copper, providing protection against insects, mold, and high temperatures. On average, each golden chest used nearly 1 kg of gold, highlighting the prestigious status of imperial gold documents. The golden chests were made by the Ministry of Works, exhibiting exquisite craftsmanship and grand design. The exquisite craftsmanship of the gold cabinets is centered on the engraved cloud and dragon patterns on their surfaces. The dragons vary in form, and the cloud patterns are intricate and varied, showing distinct stylistic differences across dynasties. The cloud and dragon patterns on Qianlong-era gold cabinets are more regular, while those from the Jiaqing and Daoguang periods are more elaborate. This decoration is not simply repetitive; each gold cabinet's pattern is unique, showcasing the artisans' superb skills. The gold cabinet exhibition is currently open from October to March of the following year. Admission is free and reservations are not required. Exhibition Address: First Historical Archives of China Exhibition Period: October to March 31st of the following year Opening Hours: 8:30 AM – 4:00 PM (Last entry at 4:00 PM) Closed on Sundays.

When the cold wind makes outdoor activities hesitant, you need a perfect walking route that "seamlessly connects indoors and outdoors" and is full of warm corners. Xixinglong Street and its surrounding area is such a treasure. Sunbathing, drinking hot beverages, doing crafts, and eating delicious food—all within walking distance—make it an ideal template for winter family city exploration. ☀️ Winter-exclusive walking map: Wind-sheltered sunny route This route is carefully planned to avoid the wind, have sunshine, and include indoor rest spots. Starting point: Sanlihe Park (Spring Breeze) - 10 a.m., start here. The park is small but surrounded by water, with koi and ducks, and plenty of sunshine. The nearby "Spring Breeze" reading space can warm you up. First warm-up stop: METAL HANDS Coffee (Qianmen branch) - Walk west along the north side of the river, shortly after entering the west entrance of Xixinglong Street. This café, transformed from an old bathhouse, has a unique space where winter sunlight streams through the skylight, and the coffee quality is excellent. Cultural recharge station: Beijing Planning Exhibition Hall - Cross the street right after leaving the café. Free admission, featuring a huge model of Beijing city planning and rich interactive exhibits, allowing children to understand Beijing on a macro level. Warm indoors and highly educational. Lunch and crafts: Return to the core section of Xixinglong Street - Choose lunch according to taste. After the meal, directly book afternoon activities at the craft workshop. Ending warmth: Beijing Fang PageOne Bookstore - Walk to the west end of Xixinglong Street at Beijing Fang. Sit by the huge floor-to-ceiling windows of PageOne Bookstore, watch the sunset over Qianmen Tower, and end a perfect day. 🍲 Food heat list: Different choices from morning to night Breakfast/Brunch: Freshly baked cinnamon rolls or salted bread from "bingoo bakery," paired with hot Americano, to start a warm morning. Main meal recommendations: "Qi Dian": A Taiwanese-style small eatery, loved by kids for braised pork rice and salted crispy chicken, with a cozy atmosphere. "Cheng Wei Tang": A relatively upscale official cuisine restaurant with an elegant environment, suitable for families wanting to experience refined Beijing-Shandong dishes. "Ping An Guotie": Affordable deliciousness, with potstickers, fried liver, and suoyi cucumber, very satisfying. Sweet treats: Chinese pastries (peach crisp, chocolate tart) from "Gao Ru Gu" or chestnut cake from "Jing Shui Coffee" are great afternoon tea options. 🎭 Indoor activity treasure trove: Warm choices against the cold wind If it's too cold outside, the area around this street offers plenty of indoor alternatives: Craft making: As mentioned earlier, cloisonné, leather goods, and "metalworking experience," etc. Cultural exhibitions: Besides the Planning Exhibition Hall, the nearby new building of the "First Historical Archives of China" often hosts themed exhibitions, with magnificent architecture and free admission. Parent-child reading: "Model Bookstore" and "PageOne" both have rich children's book sections. Micro theater experience: The "Poly International Cinema" inside Beijing Fang or the nearby "Yanliao Club" occasionally host family plays and crosstalk performances, check in advance. 🏨 Winter preferred accommodations: Warmth and convenience combined For winter stays, underfloor heating or sufficient heating is key. Beijing Qianmen Royal Inn: The hotel rooftop terrace overlooks Qianmen Street, some rooms have bathtubs, perfect for soaking after a long day of walking. Beijing Dashilan Anxin Hotel: Located on Dashilan West Street, renovated from old buildings, with simple modern design, ample underfloor heating, and friendly service. Beijing Hutongpai Hotel: Has a more youthful hostel social atmosphere but also comfortable family rooms, cost-effective and conveniently located. Beijing New World Hotel: Slightly farther (about 2 km), but an international chain brand with guaranteed hardware and service standards. The indoor heated pool is a big hit with kids. 🧣 Winter travel cold-proof guide Layered dressing: Moisture-wicking inner layer, fleece middle layer for warmth, windproof and cold-proof outer layer. Hat, scarf, and gloves are the three life-saving essentials. Warm packs clever use: Not only stick on the body but also on the back of the phone to prevent shutdown in low temperatures, or stick on the chair before entering indoors. Carry a thermos: Bring a thermos to have hot water anytime; cafés usually are happy to provide hot water. Flexible adjustment: Always pay attention to the child's condition; if they feel cold, immediately switch to planned indoor activities, don't tough it out. This route is like a string of warm pearls, linking sunshine, culture, food, and fun crafts. It proves that winter city travel can be both warm and comfortable, as well as rich and colorful. The key is to find the right street.

Beijing truly is the stronghold of Ming and Qing history. The First Historical Archives anniversary special exhibition Borrowed "Rivers and Mountains of a Thousand Miles" from the Palace Museum as a highlight exhibit. Of course, this piece differs from the one shown at the Palace Museum's centennial exhibition. It is a replica by Qianlong Emperor's court painter Fang Cong, faithful to the original, and also a masterpiece passed down through generations. The exhibition is named "Ten Perfections," featuring 10 main sections in total, with only 2 exhibits being replicas. The value of the First Historical Archives continues to rise. Ruiyi Ten Perfections · Qing Palace Archives and Cultural Relics Joint Exhibition 🎫｜Free, no reservation required ⏰｜Exhibition dates: 2025.10.11–2026.1.5 📍｜Location: South Exhibition Hall, 2nd Floor, China’s First Historical Archives

1. First Historical Archives of China (New Museum) Originally the Ming and Qing Archives of the Forbidden City, the new museum was established and opened in 2022. You can see a large number of very precious Ming and Qing historical documents. Currently, the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th floors are open to the public. Some of the collections are listed below: ✅Original copy of Kang Youwei's Memorial to the Throne ✅Original copy of the secret establishment of the crown prince ✅Original copy of the Golden List 📝Tips: 🆓Free admission, just swipe your ID card to enter. Selfie sticks and food are not allowed in the museum. 🕙Opening hours: Monday to Friday: 8:30–16:30. 📍Address: No. 9 Qinian Street, Dongcheng District (the old museum, Huangshicheng, is not open to the public) 2. Poly Art Museum ✅Original copies of four animal heads from the Old Summer Palace (currently on a business trip to the Poly MGM Museum in Macau) ✅Most of the collections are unique and rare to see outside, and are of great value. 💰Average cost: Tickets are CNY 20 per adult. Free for minors and those over 60. 📍Address: 9th Floor, New Poly Plaza, No. 1 Chaoyangmen North Street, Dongcheng District 🚉Transportation: Walk 170 meters from Exit D (southwest) of Dongsi Shitiao Station on Line 2 to New Poly Plaza

The First Historical Archives of China is a national archive that preserves the central government and royal family archives of the Ming and Qing dynasties. Currently, the fourth floor is hosting a special exhibition of Ming and Qing dynasty archives and storage equipment. The exhibition room displays more than 100 gold cabinets, which are ancient cabinets used to store precious books and archives. Standing in front of the gold cabinets, they appear heavy, with metal surfaces engraved with dragon and cloud patterns. The cabinets are approximately 1.3–1.4 meters long and high, and less than 1 meter wide. According to the exhibition board, archive storage equipment from before the Ming dynasty has been lost, and only the royal archive storage equipment from the Ming and Qing dynasties has survived to this day. The gold cabinets are made of nanmu wood and covered with gilded copper. They were used to store royal records, including the emperor's words and deeds, decrees, national affairs, and the emperor's edicts, instructions, and teachings. In ancient times, the gold cabinets were placed in ancestral temples as a reference for future generations. Standing in front of the rows of gold cabinets in glass cases, one can feel the mystery and majesty of these symbols of ancient royal authority, which have been baptized by the vicissitudes of time and are incredibly precious. The First Historical Archives of China also houses Ming and Qing dynasty royal dragon cabinets, which were used to store important documents related to the royal bloodline, such as royal family trees, births, deaths, marriages, and promotions. The dragon cabinets are not currently on display. The First Historical Archives of China is a magnificent building with a simple and solemn design. Climbing the high steps, one can feel the deep sense of history. The main functions of the First Historical Archives of China are archive preservation, utilization, and display, as well as academic research and international exchange. In addition to the gold cabinet exhibition, there is also an exhibition of Ming and Qing dynasty historical archives. The gold cabinet exhibition will be open until March 31 next year. Admission to the First Historical Archives of China is free, but reservations are required. Opening hours are Monday to Friday from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, and Saturday from 9 am to 5 pm.

There is a permanent exhibition "The Millennium: Jin Kui, Long Gui - Ming and Qing Archives Exhibition" on the fourth floor of the First Historical Archives of China, which is worth a visit. The important archives of the Ming and Qing royal families that are preserved today are inseparable from the important role played by these Jin Kui and Long Gui. Jin Kui and Long Gui are the royal archives of the Ming and Qing Dynasties, which have important historical value and rich cultural connotations, and reflect a high level of craftsmanship. The "Millennium" exhibition displays the Jin Kui and Long Gui of the Ming and Qing Dynasties in a "combination of exhibition and collection", and visitors can get a close understanding of their special regulations and exquisite craftsmanship. The history of the "Stone Room Jin Kui" collection of the country's treasures can be traced back to the Western Zhou Dynasty. There are inheritances from generation to generation, and they are used continuously. Only the Jin Kui of the Ming and Qing Dynasties have been handed down to the present. Jin Kui refers to a box specially used to collect precious books such as the real records and sacred teachings (called "Bao Xun" in the Ming Dynasty) of the Ming and Qing emperors. There are 120 Jin Kui on display in this exhibition hall, each Jin Kui is 135cm long, 75cm wide, and 130cm high. The inside of the box is made of nanmu or camphor wood, and the outside is wrapped with copper and gold. The cloud dragon pattern is engraved, which can prevent insects, mildew and high temperature, and is conducive to the long-term preservation of archives. The Qing Dynasty Long Gui was made by the Ministry of Industry. Specially store the royal genealogy of the Qing Dynasty-Jade Butterfly. The exhibition hall displays 86 Long Gui, including 5 specifications, the largest Long Gui size is 121.5x82.5x313cm. Long Gui is mainly made of fir and pine, with a lacquered surface, double-opening cabinet doors, and copper locks, handles and hinges. The surface of Long Gui is engraved with gold and painted with cloud dragon patterns, sea water Jiangya patterns, etc., with smooth lines and vividness. As the former archives equipment, Jin Kui and Long Gui silently guarded the Lan Tai Dian Ji Ce, leaving us precious cultural heritage; as today's precious cultural relics, Jin Kui and Long Gui show the ancient wisdom and exquisite craftsmanship, continuing the country and The cultural memory of the nation. In order to preserve and use cultural relics, the First Archives of China currently implements a rotation display of Jin Kui and Long Gui. The Long Gui exhibition is open from April to September each year, and the Jin Kui exhibition is open from October to March of the following year. Address: First Historical Archives of China Opening hours: Monday to Friday 8:30-16:30 Saturday 9:00-17:00 Closed on Sundays

A treasure museum that you can visit twice a year The "First Historical Museum" was established in the 14th year of the Republic of China It was born to keep the archives of the central government and the royal family of the Ming and Qing Dynasties The Jinjia Room on the fourth floor is open to the public from October The stone room and Jinjia are the exclusive archive tools of the Ming and Qing royal families It's particularly shocking I came here especially for it China's First Historical Archives 🎫｜Tickets: Free, reservation required 🚇｜Transportation: Exit H of Chongwenmen Station on Metro Line 2/5, 10 minutes' walk 🕐｜Opening hours: Monday-Saturday 8:30-16:00, closed on Sundays ❤️Tour TIPS: ✅Jinjia and Longgui are open in rotation. Jinjia is open from October 1 to March 31 of the following year, and Longgui is open from April 1 to September 30 ✅There are 8 stamps at the exit and the third floor exhibition hall

The First Historical Archives of China is located in Beijing and houses a large number of archives from the Ming and Qing dynasties. These archives are important materials for studying the history of the Ming and Qing dynasties and are known as one of the four major cultural discoveries in modern China, along with the oracle bones of Yin Ruins, the Dunhuang scriptures, and the Han Dynasty bamboo slips of Juyan. The archives in the museum are rich in content, including records of politics, economy, culture, military, and other aspects, and are of great value for understanding the history of the Ming and Qing dynasties. In history, there was the Museum of Chinese History, which was an important museum established after the founding of the People's Republic of China. Later, in 2003, the Museum of Chinese History and the Museum of the Chinese Revolution merged to become the National Museum of China. The National Museum of China is one of the largest museums in the world, with a large number of collections, systematically displaying the cultural history of the Chinese nation. The Shaanxi History Museum is China's first large-scale modern national museum and is known as the "Pearl of the Ancient Capital, the Treasure House of China". The museum's collection of cultural relics ranges from simple stone tools used in the early stages of ancient humans to various artifacts used in social life before 1840, spanning a time span of more than one million years. Its cultural relics are not only numerous and diverse, but also of high quality and wide value.

"Lantai Calligraphy, Family and Country" is China's first historical archives. There are a total of 77 archives of Ming and Qing dynasties in the collection of the First Historical Archives of China. As of now, 44 archive catalogs of the entire archives of the Cabinet, the Grand Council, the Palace, the Imperial Household Department, the Imperial Clan Court, the Constitutional Compilation and Examination Institute, the Institute of Revised Laws, the Ministry of Criminal Justice-Ministry of Law, the Ministry of Civil Affairs, the Beijing High Court and Procuratorate, the Ministry of War-Ministry of the Army, and the Bi De Yuan have been opened for online retrieval. At the same time, two full-text search databases, "Records of Qing Dynasty" and "Collected Statutes of Qing Dynasty", are launched for free use by users. "Lantai Calligraphy, Family and Country - Ming and Qing Historical Archives Exhibition" is the basic exhibition of China's first historical archives. The entire exhibition adheres to the concept of "using archives to prove history, advising government and educating people", based on the collection of more than 10.3 million historical archives of the Ming and Qing dynasties, and selects more than 200 archival treasures to design and produce. The basic display is located on the 3rd floor of the venue, with a total exhibition area of ​​1,800 square meters and an exhibition line length of 580 meters. The exhibition is based on a time series and is divided into five parts: A Glimpse of the Ming Dynasty, the Founding of the Qing Dynasty, the Kangxi and Qianlong Periods of Prosperity, the Autumn of the Empire, and Struggle and Exploration. It presents the overall historical evolution of the Ming and Qing dynasties in an outline manner. China's First Historical Archives (New Building)