Visitor Guide

Visitor Guide

The NPM's collection of painting and calligraphy, rare books and historical documents, and antiquities are displayed in the form of permanent and special exhibitions. You are recommended to start your visit from the Orientation Gallery (Room 102) located in the west wing of the main building. There you will find information on the Museum's history and exhibitions before heading to the galleries. Below are suggested visiting routes based on collection types.

I. Painting and Calligraphy
Located on the 2^nd floor of the west wing (Rooms 202, 204, 206, 208, 210, 214, 216). Permanent exhibitions include "The Ancient Art of Writing: Selection from the History of Chinese Calligraphy" and "Forms and Aesthetics," the contents of which change every three months. In addition, special exhibitions are held regularly.

II. Rare Books and Historical Documents
Located on the 1^st floor of both the east and west wings. Room 103 in the east wing contains two permanent exhibitions "Gems in the Rare Books Collection" and "Heaven-Sent Conveyances" where the displays change every three months. Special exhibitions of rare books and historical documents are held regularly in Room 104 located in the west wing.

III. Antiquities

A.Permanent Exhibitions - "The Treasures of Eight Thousand Years":
Located on the 2^nd & 3^rd floor of the east wing. Browse through eight thousand years of cultural development, starting from the Neolithic displays in Room 303 and work your way through Rooms 305, 307, 201, 203, 205, 207, 209 and 211, where each dynastic period is represented.

IV. Others
1^st floor of the east wing (Rooms 105 and 107) is the venue for joint special exhibitions of painting and calligraphy, antiquities, and rare books and historical documents, or modern painting and calligraphy.

 Exhibition Floor Plan

Gallery	Exhibit Title	Gallery Plan
1F
101	Compassion and Wisdom: Religious Sculptural Arts
102	Orientation Gallery
103	Gems in the Rare Books Collection
103	Heaven-Sent Conveyances: Highlights of Ch'ing Historical Documents
106	Arts from the Ch'ing Imperial Collection
108	Splendors of Ch'ing Furniture
2F
201	Transitions and Convergences
203	Prototypes of Modern styles
204, 206	The Ancient Art of Writing: Selections from the History of Chinese Calligraphy
205	The New Era of Ornamentation
207	The Contest of Craft: Ming Dynasty's Chia-ching to Ch'ung-chen
208	Painting and Calligraphy Donated and Entrusted to the NPM
209	Treasures from an Age of Prosperity: The Reigns of Emperors K'ang-his, Yung-cheng and Ch'ien-lung
211	Toward Modernity: Late Ch'ing Dynasty
2nd floor terrace	NPM Outdoor Public Art--''Interia/Exertion''
3F
300	The Mystery of Bronze
303	The Neolithic Age: The Beginning of Civilization
305	Classical Civilization: The Bronze Age
307	From Classic to Tradition: Ch'in and Han Dynasties
308	Dazzling Gems of the Collection: Famous Pieces from the Ch'ing Dynasty Palaces