The new Beijing Museum, built with investment of 1.23-billion-yuan (US$152 million) reopened on a trial basis Friday, displaying various antiques as well as the old folk culture of Beijing.

The museum, which focuses on life in Beijing in bygone days, covers an area of 63,390 square meters, with a 2,000-square-meter central hall. The reconstruction project lasted four years.

'The new Beijing museum has 13 themed exhibition rooms displaying 5,622 items. The collection is the largest in China,' said Han Yong, the curator of the museum.

According to Han, 80 percent of the rarities are being showcased for the first time in China.

To make it more convenient for visitors, 1,000 computerized-navigators have been installed to give visitors introductions on the exhibited items. Information is also given in English and Japanese. Other languages will be added in the future.

The venue is expected to receive 2,000 visitors daily and tickets will be 20 yuan (US$2.5) each for the trial operational period. 

2005/12/17
Source: Xinhuanet