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The city of Beijing is making preparations to accommodate an anticipated influx of over 12.80 million visitors during the upcoming eight-day holiday, which is a unique combination of the Mid-Autumn Festival and the National Day holidays. Museums, expected to be popular destinations during this period, have undergone several changes in their visiting regulations and programs.
With numerous visitors expected, many museums in the city have revamped their entry processes. While historically significant sites such as the Palace Museum and the National Museum of China might always draw large crowds, many of the local museums in Beijing have streamlined their admission process. They’ve eliminated the earlier “booking ahead” requirements. Now, tourists can directly walk into these establishments after procuring tickets either at the venue itself or through online platforms. This new method is expected to balance the overwhelming demand and the limited slots available, making the visitor experience smoother and more spontaneous.
Cultural industry specialist, Chu Xin, expressed that these modifications not only address the challenge of high demand but also offer tourists the freedom to be flexible with their plans. Tourists who might find themselves unable to secure a spot at the major museums can now easily opt for other equally enriching experiences without feeling left out.
To enhance the visitor experience, Song Haojie, the deputy director of the Beijing Municipal Cultural Heritage Bureau, announced that museums would bolster their services. An increased workforce comprising of guides and volunteers will be deployed, and the opening hours for many establishments will be stretched. Furthermore, some establishments like the Beijing World Art Museum and the Tsinghua University Art Museum are introducing special “night tour” programs to provide unique experiences for the tourists.
Zhu Shuting, a tourist from Ganzhou, East China’s Jiangxi Province, shared her excitement about the diversity of museums in Beijing. She believes that these institutions offer a profound journey into Chinese culture, which she deems invaluable for her daughter’s cultural education.
During this period, a staggering 126 events are set to be hosted across various local Beijing museums. These events span a wide range of topics from technology and history to art and sciences. For instance, the National Museum of China will present an exhibition titled ‘Learning from the Past and Knowing the Future’ spotlighting China’s archaeological accomplishments since 2012. On the other hand, the Palace Museum is gearing up to captivate visitors with ‘The World of Tea’, an exposition showcasing China’s age-old tea traditions, notably emphasizing the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Pu’er tea from Jingmai Mountain.
In a bid to make the cultural offerings more relatable and engaging, the Yongding River Museum located in Beijing’s Mentougou district is launching ‘Jing Xi Wu Yu’ (The story of West Beijing). This initiative celebrates the district’s 550 cultural relics. Some of these historical pieces, like the “colorful glazed beast,” have been innovatively recreated as cartoon characters for an array of cultural merchandise.
Museum aficionado, Li Liyang, believes that such establishments have emerged as a major pillar propelling China’s cultural consumption, especially during the holiday seasons. This surge in interest and engagement can be attributed to the consistent innovation and creativity the Chinese cultural market displays in its efforts to resonate with the public.
Apart from the museum-centric activities, Beijing is buzzing with a host of other cultural festivities. The holiday will witness a grand total of 2,097 cultural events. From exclusive in-house performances to outdoor adventures, there’s something for every kind of tourist. A notable inclusion is the 30 curated tour routes designed for enthusiasts to delve deep into Beijing’s rich historical and cultural tapestry.
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