Visit to Beijing capital museum

The capital museum in Beijing is a great place to learn about Beijing history and culture. Below I summarized some tips and guide from my visit.

1. The museum is free to public, but reservation is required. You can't just show up on any day. Instead you need to make a reservation at least 5 days in advance. Reservation can be made either by telephone or online. The reservation number is 63393339. To reserve online, the website is www.capitalmuseum.org.cn.

2. The newly constructed glass building has six floors, where a unique chapter is presented on each floor. The entrance hall is spacious and bright, where the middle stands a gate to Jingde street. The basement shows temporal exhibition and the rest of the floors are reserved for permanent exhibitions.

3. You can purchase an audio tour handset at the front entrance for 30 RMB, in either Chinese or English. You need to deposit your ID or 500 RMB, which will be returned to you when you return your handset. The handset is very easy to use. Many permanent displays provides a earphone symbol and a unique number next to the display. You simply enter the number on the handset keypad and press play, an explanation for that particular display will be given, accompanied by music in the background. It's very much like using your cellphone.

4. The second floor's exhibition is on the chapter of Beijing history and culture. As explained in the preface, "this exhibition displays the historical process through which Beijing rose from a number of primitive settlements to its emergence as a city development into several dynastic political centers, and was further upgraded to the national capital of a unified multi-national state and an international metropolis". This exhibition is an excellent place to learn about the evolution of the city.



5. The fifth floor displays Old Beijing culture and Beijing opera. A brass sculpture demonstrates an man carrying a ricksaw. Another one shows a artisan making sugar figurine, surrounded by a curious kid. An old opera house is set up with stage, audience, and a play of a Beijing opera from the big screen to mimic an real opera experience.