Here at the National Museum of Classic Books, history isn’t just read. It’s experienced. The National Museum of Classic Books opened in 2014 marking the 105th anniversary of the National Library of China. It stands as China’s first museum dedicated to precious ancient books.
Inside the National Museum of Classic Books, nine exhibition halls stretch across 10,000 square meters. The museum aims to promote Chinese culture through its rich literary heritage. The gate designs were even inspired by a book of door patterns. The ice flower pattern symbolizes fortune, longevity and eternity.
Imagine yourself surrounded by relics dating back 3,000 years. Oracle bones whisper stories of ancient dynasties. Stone and bronze rubbings reveal artistic traditions. The National Museum of Classic Books holds the four special collections of the National Library of China.
The Dunhuang Manuscripts whisper tales from the Silk Road. The Yongle Encyclopedia showcases the breadth of Ming Dynasty knowledge. The Zhaocheng Tripitaka of the Jin Dynasty displays ancient Buddhist scriptures. The Complete Library of the Four Branches of Literature offers a comprehensive view of Chinese scholarship.
Consider the “Series Exhibitions of Special and Rare Collections of the National Library of China.” It displays treasures like Guang Sima’s Zizhi Tongjian manuscripts. You can also marvel at the Yuan Dynasty block-printed edition of Mengxi Bitan. Rare books from Chinese ethnic minorities and ancient literature illuminate Chinese history.
Step into the interactive sections. New digitalization and animation technologies bring Chinese culture to life. The National Museum of Classic Books changes the traditional perception of museums. It is far from tedious.
During summer vacation, the National Museum of Classic Books hosts many activities. These aim to bridge the gap between classic texts and readers. Students experience traditional rubbing techniques. Tablet inscriptions are carefully selected from the museum’s collection.
One student from Beijing Institute of Graphic Communication said they would mount their rubbing and hang it. They felt intimately connected to history. They felt like they were taking a classic volume home.
The Yongle Encyclopedia, commissioned in 1403, was once the world’s largest. One volume shows door patterns from pre-Qin times to the Ming Dynasty. The National Museum of Classic Books’ gates reflect this inspiration.
Bronze sculptor Zhu Bingren recalls how museum experts guided him. He chose the ice flowers pattern for the gates. These patterns symbolize fortune and eternity.
Researcher Zhao Yinfang shares the story of the door pattern book. In 1982, a farmer named Sun Honglin claimed he had a volume of the Yongle Encyclopedia. The National Library identified it. Unfortunately, the letter from Sun Honglin was lost.
The Yongle Encyclopedia inspires interactive games. Digital puzzles and calligraphy work allow you to create your own art. You can even print your calligraphy and take it home.
Browse the museum’s cultural and creative products. Scarves, portable chargers, and the four treasures of study are popular items. The showcase of 70 original classic books captivates visitors. “Anthony Browne’s Happy Museum” is a favorite among young visitors. It displays 162 original paintings.
The National Museum of Classic Books makes ancient books accessible and appealing. It shortens the distance between complex volumes and eager readers. Here, ancient minds come alive.