National Museum of China

The institution's origins trace back to July 9, 1912, with the founding of the Preparatory Office of the National Museum of History by the Ministry of Education of the Republic of China, initially located at the Imperial College (Guozijian). It was officially established in November 1920 and opened to the public in October 1926. Following the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949, the museum underwent several reorganizations, including the creation of the Central Revolution Museum in 1950.

The two entities merged in 2003 to form the current National Museum of China, which celebrated its centennial in 2012.

The museum's current building was completed in 1959 as one of the 'Ten Great Constructions' commemorating the 10th anniversary of the People's Republic of China. Originally designed to house the National Museum of Chinese History and the National Museum of Chinese Revolution, the structure blends elements of Chinese architectural tradition with a Western neoclassical idiom. In 2007, a major renovation and extension project led by gmp Architekten began, merging the two former museums into a single complex.

Completed in December 2010, the project expanded the total floor space to nearly 200,000 square meters and added 28 new exhibition halls with state-of-the-art facilities.

The museum houses a vast collection of over 1.4 million artifacts, spanning Chinese history from ancient times to the present. Among its most important items are significant archaeological finds and historical documents that illustrate the development of Chinese civilization. The permanent exhibitions include the 'Road to Rejuvenation' exhibit, which focuses on modern history, and displays featuring specific historical figures and events, such as the haycutter used by a notable historical figure. The collection is managed through modern storage and exhibition facilities installed during the 2010 renovation.

Due to its central location on Tiananmen Square, the museum's facade has served as a prominent site for displaying countdown clocks for major national events, such as the handover of Hong Kong in 1997. The institution plays a critical role in shaping public understanding of Chinese history, though its historiography has been subject to critique for emphasizing the triumphs of the Communist Party while minimizing sensitive subjects. The museum continues to host major exhibitions, including the 2021 'Field of Hope' photographic exhibition on poverty alleviation, reinforcing its status as a key venue for national cultural discourse.