National Art Museum of China, Art museum in Jingshan, Beijing, China
The National Art Museum of China stands at 1 Wusi Avenue in Beijing's Dongcheng District, a four-storey building designed by Dai Nianci with a pale yellow facade and a red-tiled roof. Its central tower carries seven tiers of flying eaves, compressed from the nine-storey form of Mogao Cave 96, and a gold plaque above the doors bears Mao Zedong's calligraphy. Twenty-one exhibition halls occupy the first three floors.
The museum was established in the 1960s as a national institution for Chinese art and has since grown to house one of the country's largest collections. Its founding reflected the importance placed on preserving and showcasing the nation's artistic heritage.
The collection showcases art from different periods of Chinese history, allowing visitors to see how painting, calligraphy, and sculpture evolved over time. The works displayed reflect changing artistic styles and techniques that shaped the nation's visual culture.
The museum is easily reached by public transportation and sits in central Beijing within walking distance of other landmarks. Plan to spend several hours to properly explore the different exhibition areas at a comfortable pace.
Architect Dai Nianci modelled the roof on the nine-storey eaves of Cave 96 at Dunhuang, compressing them into seven tiers above the central tower. Premier Zhou Enlai advised adding the surrounding corridor and bamboo planting so the building could serve as a city garden for visitors.
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