Visitors admire the square vessel (zun) with four rams at the National Museum of China in Beijing during the Spring Festival holiday on February 14, 2024. /CFP
The museum craze continued in China during this year's Spring Festival holiday, thanks to a growing fascination with traditional Chinese culture, particularly among the younger generation.
Museums across the country received approximately 73.58 million visits from February 10-17, according to the National Cultural Heritage Administration, with tickets to the most popular museums selling out as soon as they became available for reservation.
People visit the National Museum of China in Beijing during the Spring Festival holiday on February 14, 2024. /CFP
The National Museum of China, which houses more than 1.4 million items in its collection, was one of them. Some of the precious artifacts kept in the museum include the Houmuwu square cauldron (ding), a jade dragon of Hongshan Culture, and the eagle-shaped pottery ding.
Houmuwu square cauldron (ding)
Visitors admire the Houmuwu square cauldron (ding) at the National Museum of China in Beijing on February 14, 2024. /CFP
Weighing over 830 kilograms, the Houmuwu square cauldron (ding) is the heaviest known piece of bronzeware from ancient China. Dating back to the Shang Dynasty (1600-1046 BC), it was reportedly unearthed at Wuguan Village, Anyang City, Henan Province in 1939. The square shape of the cauldron and its huge body make it appear both majestic and solemn.
Jade dragon of Hongshan Culture
A jade dragon of Hongshan Culture is on display at the National Museum of China in Beijing on February 14, 2024. /CFP
This dark green Neolithic jade piece is exquisitely carved and curvaceous in shape. The body of the dragon is smooth and clean. On its head are a long snout and thin eyes. The mane floats, and the body curls like a hook. Dubbed "China's No. 1 Dragon," this jade dragon of Hongshan Culture has drawn a great deal of attention in the Year of the Dragon.
Eagle-shaped pottery ding
The eagle-shaped pottery ding is on display at the National Museum of China in Beijing on February 14, 2024. /CFP
Visitors are often amused by this adorable container. The pottery ding adopts the shape of an eagle – with wide open eyes and a hook-shaped beak – standing on its feet. Its tail sags to the ground and forms three stable fulcrums with its two strong legs. The eagle-shaped pottery ding is 35.8 centimeters high and 23.3 centimeters in diameter at the mouth. It is an example of the perfect combination of primitive art and practical function, and a rare treasure of ancient sculptural art.