Beijing Diabolo Museum

Beijing Diabolo Museum

The Beijing Diabolo Museum is located in Xiaoxing Hutong, west of Baoguo Temple in Xicheng District, Beijing, covering an area of approximately 200 square meters. By the end of 2008, the museum had completed its reconstruction and exterior renovation according to schedule. Since its preparatory work commenced in August 2008, the preparation team has consulted a large amount of ancient texts, compiled about 100,000 words of foundational material, and completed four revisions of the draft “Exhibition Outline” based on expert advice. Meanwhile, with strong support from diabolo enthusiasts across the country, the museum has collected 458 diabolo artifacts, including 59 single-wheel diabolos, 64 double-wheel diabolos, and 345 uniquely shaped diabolos. It has also gathered nearly 400 photographic materials, as well as gold-plated certificates of representative inheritors of national intangible cultural heritage and commemorative stamp albums.

As the first diabolo-themed museum in Beijing and even across the nation, the museum is dedicated to preserving folk traditions, engaging with local communities, and protecting intangible cultural heritage. On one hand, it is committed to safeguarding intangible cultural heritage; on the other, it serves community cultural development and contributes to both the inheritance of cultural heritage and the building of harmonious communities.

Since diabolo shaking was listed by the State Council as part of the first group of national intangible cultural heritage in 2006, the organizing body, Guangnei Subdistrict Office, has been promoting national cultural essence and fostering a harmonious culture that strengthens the emotional bonds among local residents. Over three years of heritage protection, development, and promotion of diabolo culture—from establishing a theme square and publishing related literature, to introducing diabolo activities in schools, and even proudly participating in the pre-show performances of the “Unparalleled” opening ceremony and marathon events—the office has creatively forged a path for the preservation and promotion of national intangible cultural heritage projects, making outstanding contributions to the protection of such heritage.

To address the lack of a dedicated venue for the promotion, display, and research of diabolo culture, and to document the journey of diabolo culture toward brilliance, Guangnei Subdistrict began planning and preparing for the Beijing Diabolo Museum in 2008. After a year of unremitting effort, the Beijing Diabolo Museum—now serving as a hub for diabolo culture research and promotion, a showcase for the evolution of diabolo culture, and an important carrier of Xuanwu folk culture—finally celebrated its grand opening today.

The Beijing Diabolo Museum is a non-profit institution that serves as a window for the preservation of diabolo culture and the showcasing of regional culture, as well as a base for the creative development of local folk culture. During the opening ceremony, in addition to traditional speeches by leaders expressing congratulations and hopes, four special activities were arranged: First, the museum director presented commemorative tickets to leaders and guests; second, Li Lianyuan, a national-level master of diabolo shaking, gave a guided tour of the exhibits for leaders and guests, unfolding a timeline of diabolo culture; third, Zhang Guoliang, a master of diabolo craftsmanship, demonstrated the art of diabolo making on-site; and fourth, diabolo culture products were introduced. Since diabolo shaking was designated as part of the first group of national intangible cultural heritage, Guangnei Subdistrict has developed it as a cultural industry, creating various product series. The museum's opening also provides a platform to showcase these cultural products.

Address: No. 9, Xiaoxing Hutong, Baoguo Temple, Xicheng District, Beijing

Phone: 010-83165726

Official Website: http://www.chinakongzhu.com/index.html

Opening Hours:

9:30–16:00 (Closed on Mondays)

Source: Beijing Municipal Commission of Tourism Development