The Beijing Capital Museum is housed at the formal Confucius Temple, where the scholars paid their worship to Confucius during the Yuan Ming and Qing Dynasties.
The history of the Capital Museum can date back to year 1981. And the construction of the new Capital Museum started on December 25, 2001 and finally makes its debut along the western extension of Chang¡¯an Street, the First Street of China 2005. Formally opened on May 18, 2006, the Capital Museum has become a culture window of Beijing with its unique architecture, abundant exhibitions, advanced technology and complete functions, ranking one of the best museums worldwide.
The main buildings in the new museum include the Rectangular Exhibition Hall, the Oval Exhibition Hall and the quadrate Office and Scientific Research Building with the Central Hall and an indoor bamboo courtyard of sunken-esque among them. Boasting not only the abundant exhibitions but also distinct architecture and agreeable environment, the Capital Museum is highly praised both at home and abroad immediately on its completion.
The exhibitions in the new Capital Museum are mainly the collections of the Capital Museum over years and unearthed relics in the Beijing region. Besides, there are also latest research achievements on history, cultural relics and archeology.
The exhibitions in the Capital Museum can be divided into three main categories: regular exhibitions, exhibitions of fine artistic collection and temporary exhibitions.
