The National Museum really punishes everyone who doesn't plan ahead!!!

☑️ Before you go: (The National Museum is free but not ticket-free, no need to elaborate on ticket grabbing) 1️⃣ Before going, you can watch films like "National Treasure," "Guomai - 🇨🇳 100 Years of the National Museum," and "If National Treasures Could Talk." 2️⃣ Because the National Museum is really huge, familiarize yourself with the museum layout beforehand (there are 48 exhibition halls spread across 5 floors in different areas) so you can find the galleries you want to visit and arrange your time reasonably. The must-see and most crowded is the basement level 1 👉🏻 Ancient China Basic Exhibition. - ☑️ How to get there Strongly recommend taking the subway, get off at Tiananmen East Station on Line 1, Exit D (arrive early because you need to queue for ID verification right after exiting the subway). Once outside, you will see the queue to enter the National Museum. - ☑️ Treasures of the Museum 1️⃣ Houmuwu Ding: The heaviest existing bronze vessel in China (832.84 kg). The ding body is decorated with taotie and coiled dragon patterns, and the inscription "Houmuwu" inside indicates it was cast by the Shang king for his mother’s sacrifice, reflecting the peak of Shang dynasty bronze casting technology. 2️⃣ Four-Goat Square Zun: Decorated with four curled-horn goat heads, its intricate patterns are a model of Shang dynasty ritual vessels. It was damaged by war and restored, showcasing the pinnacle of the "clay mold" bronze casting technique. 3️⃣ Empress Xiaoduan’s Phoenix Crown: The most popular piece, inlaid with over a hundred gemstones and more than four thousand pearls, representing the highest level of Ming dynasty filigree inlay craftsmanship. 4️⃣ Human-Faced Fish Pattern Painted Pottery Basin: The lid of this children's urn coffin is one of the representative painted pottery artworks of the Banpo type from the Yangshao culture. - 🙋🏻‍♀️ Tips for visiting 1️⃣ Even with a reserved ticket, you need to enter with your ID card or passport. 2️⃣ Power banks are allowed but cannot be used inside the exhibition halls. 3️⃣ The National Museum is very large, so you can bring your own snacks and water for food supply. 4️⃣ No one can leave the National Museum’s cultural and creative shop empty-handed; it’s incredibly fun to browse. 5️⃣ After visiting the National Museum, you can go directly to Tiananmen Square without re-queuing for security checks. - 🟠 Recommended exhibits on basement level 1 1️⃣ Western Xia "Imperial Horse Token": This "trust token" was the identity credential for messengers delivering documents and orders in the Western Xia dynasty. 2️⃣ Clam Shell Dragon: A "dragon" from 650 years ago, made by arranging clam shells, placed beside the deceased. 3️⃣ Pearl and Gemstone Inlaid Necklace: Burial item of Li Xiaohai, not only extremely gorgeous but also rich in Persian style. 4️⃣ Haiyan Heqing Zun: Made in 1760, a special tribute piece from Jingdezhen official kiln for the Haiyan Hall in the Old Summer Palace. 5️⃣ Gold and Silver Inlaid Cloud Pattern Bronze Rhinoceros Zun: Exquisite craftsmanship, lifelike and natural, with gold, silver, and bronze base colors complementing each other, a classic example of the organic combination of practicality and beauty in ancient Chinese crafts. 6️⃣ Western Han Liu Xiu’s Gold Thread Jade Burial Suit: The gold-thread jade suit is the highest specification burial garment of the Han dynasty; this is the highest-grade example among similar artifacts found so far. 7️⃣ Qian Liu’s Iron Token: A certificate granted by the emperor to princes and meritorious officials conferring certain privileges; this is the only surviving Tang dynasty iron token in China.