about National Museum
Categories: National Museum of China | November 19th, 2007 | by ekk | no comments 
The National Museum of China. The Olympic count-down clock is visible at centre
The National of China under renovation for the upcoming 2008 Olympics in Beijing (August 2007)
The National Museum of China flanks the eastern side of Tiananmen Square in Beijing, China. The mission of the museum is to educate about the arts and history of China. It is directed by the Ministry of Culture of the People’s Republic of China.
The museum was formed in 2003 out of two separate museums that had already occupied the building, namely the Museum of the Chinese Revolution in the northern wing, and the National Museum of Chinese History in the southern wing. The Museum of the Chinese Revolution had been open since 1960 and had its origins in the Office of the National Museum of the Revolution, which had been founded in 1950. The National Museum of Chinese History opened its doors in 1959 and had its origins in the Beijing National History Museum, which had been founded in 1949, and the prior Preliminary Office of the National History Museum from 1912.
The building was completed in 1959 commensurate with the ten-year celebration of Communist rule. It complements the opposing Great Hall of the People that was built at the same time. The structure sits on 40,000 square meters and has a frontal length of 313 m, a height of four stories totaling 40 m, and a width of 149 m [1]. The front displays eleven square pillars at its center.
The museum is open 7 days a week, and only closed the day before Chinese New Year. The entry price is ¥ 30.