National Museum of China Tours and Activities

The National Museum of China opened in 2006 after more than a decade of planning and preparation. A stately building which takes up more than 19 hectares on the eastern side of Tiananmen Square, it houses collections covering over 5,000 years of Chinese history.The museum is divided into two wings, with one exploring ancient Chinese culture dating back to the Neolithic period and the other dedicated to a detailed look at the formation of modern China.Among the curiosities from recent history, you’ll find a scaffold used in 1927 to hang one of the Communist Party’s founding members and the megaphone through which President Hu Jintao shouted messages of encouragement in the aftermath of the Sichuan earthquake in 2008. Older artefacts include priceless porcelain, ancient currency and a jade burial suit from the Han dynasty of 200 BC.The sheer scale of the museum can be overwhelming, but the basic exhibits are free so you can easily pop in more than once and wander around a few galleries at a time. When you fancy a rest, why not head for the onsite café for coffee and cake or even relax with a traditional Chinese tea ceremony in the tea room. The bookshop is well stocked and has some volumes in English, so it’s worth a browse if you have a particular interest in Chinese art and culture.Art lovers will want to head to the temporary exhibitions, which show masterpieces from around the world on a rolling basis. You can find out what’s on by checking out the museum’s website beforehand or simply drop by and check out the current display.The museum is open every day except Monday, and admission is free (although charges may apply temporary and specialist exhibitions). Simply head for Tiananmen Square and you can’t miss it. Remember to bring your passport as ID.