The National Museum of China is one of the most important museums in China, with a wealth of cultural relics and historical sites. We’ve summed up some useful visiting tips of the National Musuem which we hope to help you plan your visit.
Plan your visit
Determine the date and time you want to visit the museum. It is recommended to choose non-weekend and holiday time to visit to avoid excessive traffic.
It’s generally open from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM (last entry at 4:30 PM), and closed on Mondays (except public holidays). Make sure to check their official website (chnmuseum.cn) for any updates or changes in operating hours.
Location
The National Museum of China is located on the east side of Tiananmen Square, in the heart of Beijing.
Address: 16 East Chang ‘an Avenue, Dongcheng District, Beijing, China.
北京市东城区东长安街16号天安门广场东侧
How to Get there
You can easily reach the National Museum of China by taking public transportation such as bus or metro. The nearest subway station is “Tian’anmen East” (天安门东站) on Subway Line 1.
Bus: 1 Road /1 road section /120 Road /52 road – Get off at Tian ‘anmen East and walk for 5 minutes.
公交：1路/1路区间/120路/52路——天安门东下车，步行 5分钟
Admission
Entry to the National Museum of China is free, but you need to reserve tickets online in advance. Visit their official website (chnmuseum.cn) to book your ticket, which usually becomes available a week prior to your intended visiting date.
ID Verification: Bring your valid ID (passport for foreign visitors) as you’ll need it to collect your ticket upon arrival.
Security Check
All visitors must go through security checks before entering the museum.
It is forbidden to carry inflammable and explosive products such as lighters, lighters will be buckled when the security check, come out and take!
No selfie sticks, no flash. Smoking is not allowed during the visit. Flammable and explosive items, large luggage and food are not allowed to enter the museum.
Guided Tours
Audio guides are available for rent, or you can join guided tours offered by the museum. But the outside tour guides are not allowed to enter the museum.
The National Museum provides guided tour service, which can be booked in advance or selected on site. Guided tour service can help visitors better understand the exhibits and history and culture. It is recommended that you can choose guided tour service if conditions permit.
Explore the National Museum of China
Once inside, you can explore the different exhibition halls of the museum. The exhibits cover a wide range of topics, including Chinese history, art, culture, and archaeology. Take your time to admire the artifacts, art, and historical displays.
The exhibition of the National Museum is divided into multiple exhibition halls, it is recommended to plan the visit route in advance in order to better appreciate the exhibits. You can first visit the main exhibition halls, such as the Exhibition hall of Ancient Chinese Civilization and the exhibition hall of Chinese Revolution and Construction, and then choose other exhibition halls to visit.
Dress Code
Dress appropriately and avoid wearing revealing clothing or flip flops since this is a cultural institution.
Food and Drink
There are cafes and restaurants inside the museum where you can take a break, but food and drink are not allowed in exhibition halls.
Follow museum rules
As with any museum visit, be respectful of the National Museum of China rules. Follow photography restrictions, do not touch the exhibits unless allowed, and be mindful of other visitors. Also, note that outside food or drinks are not allowed inside the museum.
When visiting the National Museum, you need to pay attention to the protection of cultural relics, do not touch cultural relics, photo flash and smoking and other behaviors, so as not to damage the cultural relics and affect the experience of other visitors.
Other precautions, there are many rules in the National Museum, such as no pets, no loud noise in the exhibition hall, etc., it is recommended to understand the relevant rules before visiting.
Nearby Attractions
The National Museum of China is surrounded by some of Beijing’s most iconic landmarks. Just a short walk west is Tiananmen Square, a symbol of China’s history and culture and Qianmen Street, a journey through centuries of stories and traditions in Beijing.
North of Tiananmen Square, you’ll find the majestic Forbidden City, where you can explore the imperial palace and its treasures.
Another nearby attraction is the Temple of Heaven, a historic site where emperors once prayed for good harvests. Each of these locations offers a unique glimpse into China’s rich heritage.
