Did you know this building was once a railway station? Now, it is the China Railway Museum. Specifically, this is the Zhengyangmen Hall. The China Railway Museum is China’s only national railway museum. It is a public welfare cultural institution.
This hall sits near Tiananmen Square’s southeast corner. It was once the Jingfeng Railway’s Zhengyangmen East Railway Station. Locals called it Qianmen East Railway Station. The station was built in 1903. It opened in 1906. It witnessed many historical events.
In 1959, the new Beijing Station opened. Zhengyangmen East Railway Station closed. In 2001, it became a Beijing key cultural relic. In 2007, the city decided to turn it into a railway museum. After remodeling, it opened as the China Railway Museum Zhengyangmen Hall in 2010.
The Zhengyangmen Hall covers 9,485 square meters. Its main exhibition area is 460 meters long. The permanent exhibition is the “History of China Railway Development”. It has four parts. These parts are: Initial Stage, Hardships, Progress, and Expansion.
The China Railway Museum uses many items to tell its story. These include photos, relics, and advanced displays. It shows China’s railway history over 140 years. It highlights achievements since the founding of new China.
The museum focuses on people and interactive experiences. It uses digital technology. These engaging exhibits are popular. Since opening, the Zhengyangmen Hall has displayed railway history. It promotes railway culture. It collects relics. It conducts research. It educates the public.
The China Railway Museum serves as a window into China’s railway journey. It showcases modernization. It promotes patriotism. As a cultural facility, the Zhengyangmen Hall offers diverse services. It strives to maximize social benefits. It aims to be a top-tier museum.