The Beijing Ancient Architecture Museum is located within the Temple of Agriculture, a royal temple dating back to the Ming and Qing dynasties. It is a specialized museum dedicated to collecting, researching, and showcasing the history, craftsmanship, and culture of ancient Chinese architecture, with a focus on promoting traditional Chinese culture, spreading scientific knowledge, and fostering cultural exchanges.

After more than half a year of restoration work, the Beijing Ancient Architecture Museum reopened its doors on July 18th. The sacrificial area of the Temple of Agriculture has been restored to its historical appearance, and the courtyard of the Zaisheng pavilion has been unveiled for the first time.

As you enter the Temple of Agriculture and proceed westward through the Taisui Hall courtyard and the Divine Kitchen courtyard, you will notice that the walls, doors, and pillars of each ancient building have been repainted in the original vermilion color. The intricate colored paintings on the eaves of the halls have been preserved as they were, showcasing their former splendor.

The square brick and stone altar platform of the Temple of Agriculture has been adorned with eight new sets of bronze incense burners, adding a solemn touch to the surroundings. During the Ming and Qing periods, this area was used as a sacrificial altar for worshiping the God of Agriculture. The recent restoration work followed the original layout depicted in the "Da Qing Hui Dian" (The Great Qing Code) to recreate the altar's historical appearance, providing visitors with the opportunity to explore the ancient royal sacrificial rituals.

As the first specialized museum in China dedicated to architecture, the Beijing Ancient Architecture Museum has become a popular window for promoting architectural culture in society, drawing attention and love from people of all walks of life, young students, and domestic and foreign tourists alike. The museum showcases a basic display of "A Brief History of Ancient Chinese Architecture", presenting a splendid array of cultural achievements through various artifacts, pictures, photos, and models. The unique and approachable exhibition style is carefully designed to exhibit the charm and elegance of ancient Chinese architecture. By combining the atmosphere of ancient temples with modern exhibition formats, the museum offers a profound insight into architectural culture.

Translator: ZHAO Huinan