Beijing, an ancient city with 17 million inhabitants, is China's political capital and is second to Shanghai in terms of population. To facilitate the inflow and outflow of its citizens, visitors and the goods they produce, the city has several motorways, railways, seaports and a modern airport. Due to these improvements, the city has become more accessible to citizens from around the world.
This ancient city never fails to amaze the eyes of a traveler since many significant tourist attractions dot its landscape. One cannot help but be inspired by how old-world buildings coexist side-by-side with modern structures. What's even better is that many Beijing hotels can be found within walking distances from these landmarks, helping visitors save time by visiting a number of spots in a day.
Chinese life sits side-by-side with their culture. This is the reason why a number of museums have been dedicated to the preservation of this unique characteristic. The Capital Museum, which opened in 1981 and renovated in 2007, is one of the biggest and more interesting. It now houses over 200,000 relics in its collection.
The museum's frontage is based on human and cultural heritage and exemplifies the integration of the past and the present, art and modernism, history and nature. The gigantic roof and the slope at the entrance are derived from traditional Chinese architectural style, and the stone exterior reminds one of the walls of ancient China. Bronze, timber and stones are widely used throughout the museum to represent a deeper sense of historicity. Also, a glass curtain wall, which gives a grand and transparent effect, reflects a sense of modernity.
There are three permanent exhibitions in the museum. The first, entitled "Ancient Capital: Chapter on the History and Culture of Beijing" shows the intricacies of art, dance, architecture, trade, commerce and transportation of the early Chinese when ruled by the emperor.
The second exhibition, called "Ancient Capital: Urban Construction" highlights the transcendence of the old world and the embrace of new age policies and beliefs. This part highlights the urbanization of China and the adoption of new-age technologies which brought the nation to its present state.
The last exhibition, known as the "Stories of the Capital City - Old Beijing Folk-customs" portrays the importance of folklores and folkways in Chinese life. Also, the means to find and maintain luck and their relationship to a Supreme Being are also explained here.
The museum, aside from its exhibitions, also functions as a cultural heritage storehouse, conference and reception hall, and a digital movie hall where a super wide screen with the state-of-the-art technology are installed to display high-definition films. For visitors to enjoy the wonders of this site, they can earlier purchase their tickets in Beijing hotels or any travel agency to avoid the usual hustle and bustle. - 30294
This ancient city never fails to amaze the eyes of a traveler since many significant tourist attractions dot its landscape. One cannot help but be inspired by how old-world buildings coexist side-by-side with modern structures. What's even better is that many Beijing hotels can be found within walking distances from these landmarks, helping visitors save time by visiting a number of spots in a day.
Chinese life sits side-by-side with their culture. This is the reason why a number of museums have been dedicated to the preservation of this unique characteristic. The Capital Museum, which opened in 1981 and renovated in 2007, is one of the biggest and more interesting. It now houses over 200,000 relics in its collection.
The museum's frontage is based on human and cultural heritage and exemplifies the integration of the past and the present, art and modernism, history and nature. The gigantic roof and the slope at the entrance are derived from traditional Chinese architectural style, and the stone exterior reminds one of the walls of ancient China. Bronze, timber and stones are widely used throughout the museum to represent a deeper sense of historicity. Also, a glass curtain wall, which gives a grand and transparent effect, reflects a sense of modernity.
There are three permanent exhibitions in the museum. The first, entitled "Ancient Capital: Chapter on the History and Culture of Beijing" shows the intricacies of art, dance, architecture, trade, commerce and transportation of the early Chinese when ruled by the emperor.
The second exhibition, called "Ancient Capital: Urban Construction" highlights the transcendence of the old world and the embrace of new age policies and beliefs. This part highlights the urbanization of China and the adoption of new-age technologies which brought the nation to its present state.
The last exhibition, known as the "Stories of the Capital City - Old Beijing Folk-customs" portrays the importance of folklores and folkways in Chinese life. Also, the means to find and maintain luck and their relationship to a Supreme Being are also explained here.
The museum, aside from its exhibitions, also functions as a cultural heritage storehouse, conference and reception hall, and a digital movie hall where a super wide screen with the state-of-the-art technology are installed to display high-definition films. For visitors to enjoy the wonders of this site, they can earlier purchase their tickets in Beijing hotels or any travel agency to avoid the usual hustle and bustle. - 30294
About the Author:
E. Larson is a long-time expatriate in Beijing, China. He works closely with the Emperor Hotel Beijing and many other beijing hotels. Check out his website about the Emperor Hotel Beijing here.
