National Museum of China

The National Museum of China sprawls across 19 hectares in the heart of Beijing. It contains over a million different artworks, ranging from prized jade pieces to beautiful ceramics to rare bronze, many of which cannot be found anywhere else in the world. Follow the course of this immense country's development by way of artefacts from throughout its history.

Due to the museum’s massive scope, it can be difficult to know where to begin. It’s a good idea to start with some of the temporary shows, and then look through the list of other exhibits to see what catches your eye.

Trace five millennia of Chinese culture here – admire the delicate porcelain, antique money, Stone Age jade, and jewellery made from treasured metals. Images of the Buddha and Mao predominate throughout the collections, telling us something about the importance of these figures in the country’s history.

The incisor teeth of one of our prehistoric forefathers, known as “Yuanmou Man” (a Homo Erectus from an incredible 1.7 million years ago) are also on display. Moving onwards in time, the ancient Simuwu Ding bronze cooking pot and the Han Dynasty burial suit in precious jade attest to the cultural sophistication of modern China's ancestors.

There is a café on site where you can rest your feet and have a coffee, while the museum’s bookshop stocks a number of books in English.

The National Museum of China is situated on the eastern side of Tiananmen Square, and is open from Tuesday to Sunday. Most exhibits are free of charge, but you are obliged to bring your passport with you to gain entry. It is recommended to time your visit early in the day, particularly because the ticket kiosk for temporary shows closes in the middle of the afternoon.