The National Museum of China occupies a long building on the east side of Tiananmen Square. It was formed in 2003 by merging the Museum of Chinese History and the Museum of the Chinese Revolution, and after a major reconstruction it reopened in 2011 with around 200,000 square metres of floor space, which puts it among the largest museums in the world.
What to see first
The collection runs to roughly 1.4 million objects, so pick two or three galleries rather than trying to see everything. The Ancient China gallery is the essential one: it moves from palaeolithic tools through the Shang and Zhou bronze age to the Tang and Song golden ages, and its centrepiece is the Houmuwu ding, an enormous Shang bronze ritual vessel of about 832 kilograms, the largest of its kind ever excavated. Also look for the oracle bones, Han jade burial suits, Tang sancai ceramics and Song celadon wares.
The rest of the museum
The modern history galleries cover the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, including the Opium Wars, the fall of the Qing and the twentieth-century republic. There are also temporary exhibition halls, a large collection of Chinese painting and calligraphy, and a good museum shop. Signage in English is present but thinner than in the ancient galleries, so a guide or an audio guide helps if you want depth.
Practical information
Entry is free, but you must reserve a timed slot online in advance using your passport, and you cannot enter without the reservation. The museum is closed on Mondays. Expect a full airport-style security check at the north gate, including bag screening and a body scan, and leave large bags at your hotel. Bring your passport - it is checked against the booking.
Timing
Allow two to three hours for a focused visit. Mornings are busiest because museum visits are often combined with Tiananmen Square, which requires its own booking and security check. The museum is directly on Tiananmen East station on Line 1, so it is easy to reach.
