Museum of Ethnology, Minzu University of China

Museum of Ethnology, Minzu University of China

The Museum of Ethnology at Minzu University of China is located on the campus of Minzu University of China at No. 27 Baishiqiao Road, Haidian District. It is a comprehensive ethnological museum primarily serving academic teaching, established in 1952. Minzu University of China is a prestigious institution where outstanding ethnic minority youth from across China pursue their studies. The serene campus environment houses the museum in a central location, with a building area of 1,200 square meters and an exhibition area of 500 square meters. The museum houses a collection of over 30,000 items across 14 categories, including cultural relics, documents, clothing, and production tools from various ethnic minorities.

The Museum of Ethnology at Minzu University of China is one of the longest-established, largest, and most extensive ethnological museums in China. It is the only museum among over a hundred university museums nationwide that collects and exhibits cultural artifacts from all 56 ethnic groups. It is also the first museum in China to display the personal belongings of the revered official Niu Yuru, and the only museum in northern China to showcase cultural artifacts from Taiwan’s indigenous peoples.

Originally established in 1951 as the Cultural Relics Office under the Research Department of the Central Institute for Nationalities (then name of the university), the renowned ethnologist Mr. Yang Chengzhi served as its first director. In 1982, it was renamed the Cultural Relics Research Office under the Institute of Ethnology of the Central Institute for Nationalities. On September 16, 1988, it was officially established as the Museum of Ethnology of the Central Institute for Nationalities with approval from the State Ethnic Affairs Commission. In November 1993, it was renamed the Museum of Ethnology, Minzu University of China. To support the construction and development of the museum, in 2002 the university decided to renovate the nearly 5,000-square-meter former library into a new museum facility. The new museum officially opened to the public on September 26, 2004. Currently, the museum maintains constant temperature and humidity in its exhibition halls and storage areas, along with 24-hour surveillance.

The current collection includes around 20,000 items (sets) across 14 categories such as embroidered banners, revolutionary relics, local specialties, production tools, clothing, furs, ancient artifacts, historical documents, jewelry, weapons, musical instruments, and religious items from all 56 ethnic groups in China, as well as ceramics, coins, and photographs from selected countries and ethnic groups abroad.

Address: On the campus of Minzu University of China, No. 27 Baishiqiao Road, Haidian District, Beijing

Type: Museum

Recommended visiting time: About 1 hour

Phone: 010-68933341

Opening Hours:

9:00–17:00 (Monday to Thursday)

Ticket Information:

Standard Ticket Price: 10.0 RMB

Free admission for seniors, students, and other eligible groups.