China Ethnic Museum, National museum of ethnicities in Yayuncun Subdistrict, Beijing, China.
The China Ethnic Museum is a national museum in Yayuncun that displays everyday items, traditional clothing, and artistic works from all 56 recognized ethnic groups of China. The collections are organized into different exhibition areas, each devoted to a specific ethnic group.
The museum was founded on the grounds of the former Asian Games Village, which was built in 1990 for the sporting competitions in Beijing. The transformation of this sports venue into a cultural space shows how the city repurposed its infrastructure after international events.
The exhibitions show how different ethnic communities today continue to practice their crafts, celebrate festivals, and maintain artistic traditions. You can see how these practices are woven into daily life and what role they play in their communities.
The museum is located in an easy-to-reach spot near Beijing's Fourth Ring Road and is accessible by public transportation. It is helpful to check opening hours in advance and allow enough time to explore the various exhibition areas.
The collection contains about 120,000 items divided into 16 different categories of exhibits that document the craftsmanship and ecological practices of various ethnic groups. This variety of objects shows how different ways of life and traditions can be within China.
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