China has rolled out a series of online exhibitions for people trapped at home due to the novel coronavirus epidemic, which has been responsible for more than 1,600 deaths and over 68,000 infections so far. 

Cultural activities have been put on hold across the country as numerous exhibitions and performances have been canceled to avoid the risk of cross-infection fueled by gatherings, and to contain the spread of the virus.

Museums, though closed to the public, remain active on social media. With the doors of their galleries opened online, they utilize their digital resources to offer services virtually.

The National Cultural Heritage Administration (NCHA) recommends 100 online exhibitions, which are linked to the NCHA website to provide a cultural feast that people can enjoy at home. 

Here are some of the most stunning digital galleries and exhibitions that are accessible to all, regardless of location. 

A glimpse at 'Panoramic Palace Museum'

One of the must-visit landmarks in China, downtown Beijing's Palace Museum has been closed since January 25 with the reopening date yet to be confirmed. 

The world-famous museum, however, is confident that it can offer visitors something special with its large number of digital products and exhibitions.

The digitization process at the museum has been in operation for about 20 years, according to the museum curator Wang Xudong. 

Some of the latest achievements have been showcased online through the institution's official website and WeChat account.

Housing nearly 1.9 million antique items, the museum has upgraded its "digital cultural relic storage" with numerous high-definition (HD) images of cultural relics added to its database last year.

The digital gallery currently includes cultural relics of all varieties from the palace collection as more than 52,500 digitized items has gone online, including paintings, sculptures, jade ware, textiles, porcelain and antique clocks.

Some of them, such as sculptures, enamels, lacquerware and porcelain, have been captured in 3D. And visitors from all around the world can view them from any angle they want, and in greater detail.

Besides tremendous cultural treasures, the world's largest architectural complex made of wood itself is the biggest exhibit in the palace. 

Thanks to the program called "The Panoramic Palace Museum," people can pay a virtual visit to the architecture miracle for an immersive experience.

Another digital journal named "Famous Paintings at The Forbidden City" showcases a total of 334 ancient masterpieces with detailed introductions on the works and painters.

A popular exhibition titled "A Panorama of Rivers and Mountains" also goes digital, introducing blue-green landscape paintings from Chinese history. 

As the name implies, it enables users to take a virtual gallery tour and take a closer look at the excellent works.

'Embracing the Orient and the Occident'

The National Museum of China, one of China's best and best-known museums, is famous for exhibitions, permanent or temporary, showcasing Chinese history comprehensively and in detail.

Like its famous palace counterpart, the world's third most visited museum, also located in the capital city, went digital at a very early stage with at least 36 exhibitions on display in cyberspace so far.

Among them are some of the most popular exhibitions that have drawn millions of visitors, which cover a variety of topics, ranging from mysterious ancient Chinese kingdoms to significant revolutions in the Western world.

For instance, the exhibition titled "Embracing the Orient and the Occident: When the Silk Road Meets the Renaissance" displays over 200 pieces (sets) of cultural relics and art pieces from 21 museums across Italy and 17 domestic museums.

Through presenting Chinese cultural elements in the Italian renaissance and the influence of Western art world in Chinese artworks, it shows a picture of the co-development and communication of different civilizations.

Return to the ages of ancient kingdoms

Various provincial museums put some of their most representative cultural treasures online, bringing users to different regions and ages in ancient China and showcasing the distinct landscapes of local history and culture.

The exhibition of "The Age of Yue Kings" presented by the Zhejiang Provincial Museum centers on Yue culture and surrounds the stories of three influential kings of the states of Wu, Yue and Chu, which were located in the modern provinces of east China's Zhejiang, Shanghai, and Jiangsu.

With more than 300 pieces (sets) of artifacts and items, it shows users fierce battles and historical moments during the Spring and Autumn (771 – 476 BC) and Warring States (475 – 221 BC) periods in ancient China, which concluded with the Qin state's victory as the first unified Chinese empire.

With 100 pieces (sets) of cultural relics and artifacts carefully selected, another digital exhibition "Treasures of Zhejiang" tells local tales, offering users an immersive experience of a visit to the provincial museum as well as the Zhejiang West Lake Gallery simultaneously.

More online exhibitions to visit at home

Digital Dunhua: Enter Mogao Grottoes Here by Dunhuang Academy China, Jiuquan, Gansu

Letter of Spring: Exhibition of Plum Blossom Themed Cultural Relics by Shanghai Museum, Shanghai

Dwelling in the Central Plains of Ancient China: Exhibition of Fine Western Zhou Bronzes in Shaanxi by the Sanxingdui Museum, Chengdu, Sichuan

(Cover image by Pan Yufei)