Opening on December 28, 2021, National Museum of China hosts a special exhibition “Ancient Chinese Food Culture” to the public. The exhibition presents around 240 sets of relics related to food culture, vividly portraying Chinese ancient people’s daily life and their longing for ample food and good life.

Once into the exhibition hall, visitors will see grains preserved from ten thousand years ago, which are believed by scientists as the primitive phase of original agriculture and refreshes people’s knowledge of the origin of the world agriculture.

Unearthed stone mills and grinders are proven from Neolithic Age, letting visitors exclaim our ancient ancestors’ wisdom. They took advantage of simple stones to grind and mill nuts and grains to get refined food.

Fruits has been an essential part of people’s daily life since ancient times. Chinese ancestors regarded savoury fruits as auspiciousness and happiness. For instance, in Ming and Qing dynasties, fruits became an important theme of vessel decoration. Peach represents longevity, pomegranate represents children, orange represents blessings and so on.

A bite of Chinese food. These relics reflect the development and evolvement of Chinese ancient food culture. Beneath the surface, there are people’s desires and longings for happiness and blessings.

Venue: Gallery N11, National Museum of China