Beijing Folklore Museum

Beijing Folklore Museum

The Beijing Folklore Museum (Beijing Dongyue Temple Administration Office) is the only state-run folklore-themed museum in Beijing. It is located at No. 141, Chaoyangmen Outer Street, Chaoyang District, Beijing, and occupies the site of the Beijing Dongyue Temple, a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

The Beijing Dongyue Temple was first built in the sixth year of the Yan reign during the Yuan Dynasty (1319), funded by Zhang Liusun and Wu Quanjie, both eminent leaders of the Quanzhen Taoist school in the Yuan era, and is dedicated to the worship of the Lord of Mount Tai, known as the Eastern Peak God. Over time, through continuous expansions during the Ming and Qing dynasties, the temple gradually developed into an architectural complex comprising a central axis courtyard and east–west wing courtyards. Covering an area of approximately 47,400 square meters, the temple complex includes over 300 ancient structures, embodying the architectural styles of the Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties, and is regarded as a treasured gem of ancient Chinese architecture. Historically, the Dongyue Temple served as a site for national sacrificial ceremonies, while folk worship activities were even more grandiose, establishing it as a rich hub of traditional folk culture. In 1996, the Beijing Dongyue Temple was designated as a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit by the State Council. In 1997, the Beijing Dongyue Temple Administration Office and the Beijing Folklore Museum were established. In 1999, the Beijing Folklore Museum officially opened to the public.

The mission of the Beijing Folklore Museum is to become a center for research, exhibition, and activities related to Beijing’s folklore. The museum has hosted dozens of academic seminars on topics such as “The Calendar of a Nation-State: Traditional Festivals and Public Holidays,” and has published works including the Beijing Folklore Series and Old Beijing Traditional Festival Culture. The museum regularly hosts folklore exhibitions, featuring major displays such as the Exhibition of Ritual Objects Related to Life Milestones and the Exhibition of Traditional Commercial Folklore Artifacts of Old Beijing. The Dongyue Temple Temple Fair held during the Spring Festival has been included in the National Intangible Cultural Heritage List. Additionally, during traditional festivals such as the Dragon Boat Festival, Mid-Autumn Festival, and Double Ninth Festival, a variety of vibrant folk garden activities are organized. The Dongyue Academy, established in the eastern corridor courtyard of the temple, offers the public lectures on traditional culture. The museum has gradually become an important window for residents of Beijing and visitors from around the world to learn about Beijing’s traditional folklore culture.

Source: Beijing Municipal Commission of Tourism Development

Further Reading:

· China National Third-Class Museum