As the Qingming Festival approaches, museums in Beijing have launched 98 exhibitions and cultural activities for citizens to enjoy the traditions of the spring outing and festival.

Currently, the pear blossoms are in full bloom at the Zhihua Temple, which is also home to the Beijing Cultural Exchange Museum. Meanwhile, lilacs and crabapple flowers are ready to bloom, attracting a large number of visitors. From April 4 to 6, music performances will be held here each morning and afternoon. On April 4, during the Qingming Festival, the museum will extend its hours till 19:00, with an additional performance scheduled for 18:30.

Zhihua Temple

[Photo: Beijing Dongcheng]

Magnolias are currently in full bloom at the Beijing Art Museum situated in Wanshou Temple. During the Qingming Festival, the museum will host a 24-solar-term experience event, offering visitors the opportunity to engage in traditional activities such as traditional woodblock printing and learning traditional embroidery techniques. Additionally, from April to May, the Beijing Dajue Temple and Tuancheng Management Office will jointly organize the "Dajue Temple Magnolia Culture Festival Exhibition," showcasing the history of cultivation, symbolism, literary references, and different varieties of magnolias.

During the Qingming Festival, traditional customs such as kite flying, archery at distant targets, and shooting willow leaves were practiced by the Chinese people. To celebrate these traditions, the Capital Museum will organize a kite-flying event, where participants can create and fly bank swallow kites while learning about the festival's traditional customs and stories. Similarly, at the China National Film Museum, visitors can engage in kite painting activities, enjoy a folk music concert, and explore a digital exhibition dedicated to the Qingming Festival. The Beijing Folklore Museum will host ancient fun sports events featuring activities like willow shooting, arrow-throwing into pots, etc., showcasing the traditional festival entertainment to the audience. Meanwhile, at the China Agricultural Museum, visitors can explore the outdoor garden, participate in research and learning classes, and gain insights into solar terms, phenology, folk customs, and bird-watching.

During the Qingming Festival, visitors to the Memorial Museum of Lao She can pay their respect to the statue of Lao She by offering flowers, without purchasing tickets. At the Zhan Tianyou Memorial Museum of the China Rail Way Museum, a quiz centered around the traditional customs of the Qingming Festival and Zhan Tianyou's life will be organized, with visitors can receive a souvenir prepared by the Museum. Additionally, the Zhoukoudian Peking Man Site Museum will welcome visitors to present flower baskets to scientists and read their poems. The Beijing Nanhaizi Elk Park Museum will promote awareness of extinct animals and educate the public about wildlife conservation through various methods.

(Source: Beijing Daily)