National Museum of China

National Museum of China 中国国家博物館

Amalgamation of the Museum of Chinese History & the Museum of the Chinese Revolution
Built in 1959; newly inaugurated in 2003
Over 600,000 exhibits
Completely renovated for 2007 opening
Fun "Wax Gallery"
Located on the east side of Tiananmen Square

The National Museum of China was built in 1959 as one of the "Ten Great Constructions" completed for the 10th anniversary of the foundation of the People's Republic in 1949. Located in a 300 meter-long, two-winged building on the east of Tiananmen Square facing the Great Hall of the People.

The National Museum of China is a combination of the previous Museum of Chinese History previously housed in the south wing and the Museum of the Chinese Revolution which was in the north wing.

Exhibits

Although much of China's artistic heritage was spirited away to Taiwan on the fall of the Nationalist government in 1949, the National Museum of China has over 600,000 exhibits in its permanent galleries displayed on 192,000 meters of floor space.

The museum's eclectic collection includes pottery and jade from the Neolithic period, precious Ming vases, calligraphy, paintings, antique sculptures and bronze wine vessels as well as the fossilized remains of Yuanmo Man and Beijing Man.

The National Museum's "Wax Gallery" shows wax figures of the likes of Mao, Confucius and Marx as well as more modern icons such as David Beckham, Michael Jordan and Marilyn Monroe.

After its re-opening the museum will feature visiting exhibitions from around the world.