China.org.cn presents the introduction to seven permanent exhibitions at Capital Museum in Beijing.

Ancient Capital ? History and Culture of Beijing

Basic ExhibitionVenue: Room C, F2

Focusing on its rich culture, this exhibition chronologically displays the historical development of Beijing, from a primitive residence place to the formation of a polis, from a political center of North China to a united multi-ethnic feudal state, and to the capital of the People's Republic of China.

Folk Customs in Old Beijing

Basic ExhibitionVenue: Room F, F5

The theme of this exhibition is "Life in Hutong." By displaying the scenes of wedding, birth giving and festivals among the ordinary people living in Hutong, it portrays a vivid close-up on customs and rituals of the people's life in Beijing tracing back history to late Qing and early Republic of China period.

Cultural Relics from Buddhist Pagodas in Beijing Area

Special ExhibitionVenue: Room L, F6, Oval Hall

Buddhism born in ancient India in the 6th century BC was officially introduced into China in 2 BC. In the period of more than two thousand years, Buddhism in China formed the Chan School, Pure Land School and many other sects with Chinese cultural characteristics and created a variety of art forms and exquisite works, in the areas of architecture, sculpture, painting and so on. It has become an important part of Chinese traditional culture.

Buddhism was introduced into Beijing around the Period of the Sixteen Kingdoms. After the continued spread and development during the Western Jin and Eastern Jin, Southern and Northern Dynasties, and the Sui and Tang Dynasties, it reached its apex during the Liao Dynasty and flourished from the Liao Dynasty to the Qing Dynasty. The rapid development of Buddhism in Beijing left a wide range of cultural heritages, such as temples, pagodas, Buddhist statues and images, ritual implements, etc. These treasures added much color to the cultural depth of the ancient capital Beijing.

Since the founding of the P.R.C.(1949), archeologists in Beijing carried out excavations on a small number of remains of ancient pagodas in order to protect and rescue them and discovered large number of Buddhist relics. For this exhibition we have selected some of pagoda relics hoping to show the highly Buddhist atmosphere in the ancient capital of Beijing, the unique Buddhist cultural style, as well as the high level of development of architectures, sculpture and other crafts.

Selected Works of Ancient Bronze Art

Art ExhibitionVenue: Room J, F4, Oval Hall

This exhibition shows the unique bronze culture in Beijing. By comparing of bronze wares from the Central Plains and the Northern Grassland of China and those of Western Zhou and Eastern Zhou periods, it shows that culture exchange, ethnic fusion, and multi-culture of bronze co-existed in ancient Beijing.

Selected Works of Ancient Jade Art

Art ExhibitionVenue: Room K, F5, Oval Hall

Focusing on the jade utilizing culture, this exhibition shows the development and characteristics of jade art in Beijing area.

Selected Works of Ancient Buddhist Statues

Special ExhibitionVenue: Room E1, F4

This exhibition reveals the art history of Chinese Buddhist statues and Tibetan Buddhist statues, and the rich Buddhist culture in Beijing.

Selected Works of Ancient Ceramics Art

Art ExhibitionVenue: Room E2, F4

This exhibition fully displays pottery and porcelain wares inherited or unearthed in Beijing. It reveals the process of Chinese ceramic art development and the history of Beijing.