During the Spring Festival, immerse yourself in a rich blend of tradition and innovation at Beijing's top museums. The Chinese Traditional Culture Museum, National Art Museum of China, CAFA Art Museum, China Millennium Monument, China National Academy of Painting, and the 798·751 Art District are presenting a series of stunning exhibitions that invite audiences to indulge in an artistic feast.
With the Spring Festival recently added to the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, the China National Intangible Cultural Heritage Museum's exhibition "Exhibition of the Spring Festival" is undoubtedly one of the most festive and suitable exhibitions to visit during this time. The exhibit showcases over 120 items and more than 300 pieces related to Spring Festival traditions, inviting visitors from all corners of the world to experience the joy and festive atmosphere of the season. The museum will also host a series of activities under the theme "Folk Performance Brings in the New Year," including folk performances such as Anqing waist drums, Tianqiao Zhongfan, dragon and lion dances.
The National Art Museum of China is offering seven major exhibitions for art lovers to enjoy. Among these, Beauty of the Five Great Mountains: An Exhibition of Fine Arts Works from the NAMOC and Couplets and Calligraphy on the Five Sacred Mountains complement each other, showcasing the Chinese spirit and power embedded in the country's breathtaking landscapes. The Moyun Wenmai series has become a significant brand at the museum, and this exhibition presents masterpieces of Ming and Qing dynasty paintings and calligraphy from the Guangzhou Museum of Arts. Auspicious Signs Greet the New Year: National Art Museum of China Exhibition for the Year of the Snake features Chinese paintings themed around the Year of the Snake, along with a variety of folk arts such as New Year paintings, paper-cutting, shadow puppetry, masks, and embroidery—vivid and ever-changing. In parallel, Beauty in Vitality: Animal Themed Sculpture Exhibition at the National Art Museum of China showcases works by renowned artists such as Liu Kaiqu, Wang Linyi, and Xiong Bingming, featuring animal sculptures. The Spring Festival is a time of joy for children, and Playful Objects All Year Round: A New Year-Welcoming Exhibition of Folk Art in the NAMOC Collection displays nearly 200 objects from the museum's collection, reflecting China's historical changes and folk beliefs. Beauty in Life: Art Exhibition on Our Happy Life presents a collection of Chinese paintings, oil paintings, prints, and sculptures, capturing the mighty force of time while highlighting the sweetness and fulfillment of people's lives.
During the Spring Festival, the CAFA Art Museum will host two major exhibitions. Collection of CAFA Art Museum Ancient Chinese Art spans over 2,000 years, featuring 217 artifacts including bronze mirrors, portrait bricks, ceramics, figure paintings, flower and bird paintings, landscapes, and calligraphy. Among the treasures are works such as Pine Crane and Bamboo Rock Painting by Zhu Da from the late Ming and early Qing dynasty and Landscape Painting by Zhang Yu from the Yuan dynasty. The Transmission, Imitation, and Copying: An Exhibition of Chinese Painting Reproductions at CAFA showcases over 300 works created by students in CAFA's Chinese painting copying courses, demonstrating the academic value and contemporary relevance of traditional methods.
In addition to the popular "Princess Sissi Exhibition" and "Su Shi Exhibition," the China Millennium Monument recently opened the Ethnic Music Culture Exhibition, featuring over 240 items, 120 minutes of audio-visual material, and more than 100 photos to help visitors understand traditional Chinese music culture. The The Homeland cultural exhibition uses time as an axis to explore the political reality of "family and country as one" during the Zhou dynasty, the ideal life goals of scholars throughout the ages, and the historical consciousness and mission responsibility during the modern period, all while looking toward the rejuvenation of the nation. Through ancient texts, inscriptions, paintings, letters, and images, this exhibition leads viewers to explore the deep meanings of family and national culture.
During the Spring Festival, the China National Academy of Painting Art Museum offers two major exhibitions worth seeing. Beautiful Together: A Collaborative Chinese Painting Exhibition brings together nearly 30 outstanding contemporary Chinese painters, each creating monumental paintings that cover various subjects like landscapes, figures, and flowers. The New Year's Celebrations: National Painting Academy's Spring Exhibition of the Year of the Snake and 2024 Annual Exhibition features over 400 works across many art forms, unfolding like a grand and colorful cultural scroll. The ingenuity of national masters, the academic depth of the Academy, regional styles from local art academies, and the auspicious calligraphy blessings all combine to form a magnificent symphony of culture and art.
In the 798·751 Art District, festive light installations and snake-shaped art pieces have enhanced the area's New Year decorations. The district continues to host popular exhibitions such as 798 Art, Science and Technology Biennale 2025 at 798CUBE, Luc Tuymans: The Past at UCCA Center for Contemporary Art, Notre-Dame de Paris Immersive VR Experience at Cogito Unbound Technology and Arts Center, and Mummy, Life and Death in Ancient Egypt at Meet You Museum. 798artworks has also launched a series of Spring Festival gift boxes themed around rope knots, featuring items like scented candles, incense, and tea sets, bringing festive surprises to visitors.
Translator: FENG haoxuan
Reviewer: BAI Jing
