Museum INTRODUCTION（博物馆前言）

There are museums and galleries of all sizes and interests all over the city. Some are nearly miniscule with few items exhibited and others are so large it is rather overwhelming.

Many treasures have been looted or destroyed over the turbulent years of Chinese history, but many discoveries in the last twenty five or so years have added greatly to the government's treasures.

The museums may be tucked away in nearly every historical venue in Beijing. In recent years art galleries have sprung up all over the city as the population becomes more and more affluent giving young Chinese artists the opportunity to exhibit and sell their work.

首都博物馆Capital Museum

The plan for the Capital Museum, located in the Confucius Temple, was prepared in 1953. The museum formally opened in 1981.

As a major cultural construction project in Beijing in the “10th Five-Year Plan”, the new Capital Museum, approved by Beijing Municipal Government in 1999, further approved by the State Council after being submitted by the National Development and Reform Commission in 2001, finally commenced its construction in December 2001. Under the concern and guidance of Beijing Municipal Government, after four years of hard work, the museum finally makes its debut along the western extension of Chang’an Street, the First Street of China. With its magnificent architecture, abundant exhibitions, advanced technology and complete functions, the Capital Museum, large and modern, makes its contribution to the titles such as “famous historical and cultural city”, “cultural center” and “international metropolis” of Beijing and ranks among the first class museums both at home and abroad.