The National Museum of China (国家博物馆), located in the heart of Beijing, is one of the largest and most prestigious museums in the world. Spanning an area of 70,000 square meters with a height of 42.5 meters and a total floor space of 200,000 square meters, it houses over 1.43 million artifacts. As a first-class national museum, it showcases the rich history and cultural heritage of China, making it an essential destination for anyone interested in the country’s past. Admission is free, but tickets are highly sought after, so planning your visit is crucial. This guide will help you navigate the museum and make the most of your experience.
Admission Information
Tickets: Free admission, but tickets are released daily at 5:00 PM via the official WeChat account “National Museum” (国家博物馆). Tickets are highly competitive, so be prepared to act quickly!
Opening Hours: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, closed on Mondays.
Entry Protocol: Visitors must enter at their scheduled time and present an ID card.
Security Check: You can bring a small amount of water and food. However, items like power banks over 20,000mAh, lighters, selfie sticks, and tripods are prohibited.
Getting There:
- By Subway: Take Line 1 and exit at Tiananmen East Station (天安门东站) via exits C or D.
- By Bus: Lines 1, 2, 52, 82, 120, and tourist buses 1 and 2 stop at Tiananmen East Station.
5-Hour Exploration Itinerary
First Stop: Ancient China (B1 Level) – Must-See!
Your journey should begin in the Ancient China exhibition on B1. This is where the museum’s most valuable treasures are located. Allocate around two hours to explore this section. The display is divided into eight key periods, including:
- Prehistoric Era
- Xia, Shang, and Western Zhou Dynasties
- Spring and Autumn and Warring States Periods
- Qin and Han Dynasties
- Three Kingdoms, Jin, Southern and Northern Dynasties
- Sui, Tang, and Five Dynasties
- Liao, Song, Xia, Jin, and Yuan Dynasties
- Ming and Qing Dynasties
Key artifacts include the jade dragon (玉龙), jade cong (玉琮), an eagle-shaped pottery cauldron, gold-thread garments, the famous Houtu Muwu Ding (后母戊鼎), bronze masks, and many more. Exiting this exhibition leads you directly to the museum’s creative shop, where you can find souvenirs.
Lunch Break
Take a 30-minute break at the museum restaurant. Options are limited, offering items like cold noodles, sandwiches, and vending machine snacks. It’s advisable to bring your own snacks or chocolate for a more satisfying meal.
Second Stop: Southern Area, 4th Floor
From here, head directly to the 4th floor of the Southern Area. You can view six main exhibitions:
- Currency Exhibition
- Bronze Mirror Exhibition
- Technology Exhibition (if you’re short on time, you may skip this)
- Clothing Exhibition
- Porcelain Exhibition
- Jade Exhibition
Allocate about two hours to thoroughly enjoy these displays.
Third Stop: Northern Area, 3rd Floor – Ancient Food Culture
Your next stop is the Ancient Food Exhibition on the 3rd floor of the Northern Area. This section features a display on imported foods, including carrots, cucumbers, and watermelons—items we often consume today that were once exotic imports. Spend around 30 minutes here.
Fourth Stop: Northern Area, 2nd Floor – Chinese White Porcelain
Finish your tour on the 2nd floor of the Northern Area, focusing on the popular Chinese white porcelain exhibit. The renowned “Princess Yu” porcelain is a highlight, celebrated for its delicate craftsmanship. Allocate around 20 minutes to appreciate this section.
Stamp Collection Guide
You can collect museum stamps at various locations throughout the museum:
Museum Stamps (3 stamps): Locations: 2nd-floor creative shop, and the Hetian jade and Mingpai jewelry creative shops at the exit on the 1st floor.
Creative Stamps (27 stamps in 3 sets): Locations: At the end of the Ancient China exhibition shop (3 stamps), two shops at the southern exit on the 1st floor (9 stamps), three shops on the 2nd floor (9 stamps), outside exhibition halls on the 3rd floor (2 stamps), and four shops outside exhibition halls on the 4th floor (4 stamps).
Museum Coffee Stamps (2 stamps): Locations: At the 2nd-floor coffee shop.
Shared Home Stamps (5 stamps): Location: Inside the Shared Home exhibition on the 3rd floor, next to the Wuqinxi showcase.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where to Eat? The National Museum is large enough that you could easily spend an entire day exploring. It’s best to enter in the morning or around noon. If you feel tired, you can bring some non-flavored snacks (like bread or milk) to consume in the museum’s coffee shop on the 2nd floor. Note that eating is prohibited inside the exhibition halls.
Where to Rest?
- The main hall has large staircases on both the north and south sides where you can sit and rest.
- There are also staircases leading to the B1 level where you can take a break.
- On the 2nd floor, at the entrance of the Revival Road exhibition, there are three benches available for short rests.
- A rest area is available opposite the exit of the Ancient Food Exhibition on the 3rd floor.
Where to Get Free Water? You can find drinking water at the entrance of Hall 6 in the Southern Area on the 3rd floor, with two press-type fountains available (cold water only). Bring your own cup or bottle for convenience!
Is There a Bag Storage Service? Yes, there is a bag storage service, but it is chargeable. Note that the storage and exit routes are not direct, requiring some walking. It’s advisable to carry a small bag with only necessary items.