Poly Art Museum

　　The Poly Art Museum was established in December 1999, making it the first museum founded by a large state-owned enterprise on the Chinese mainland. Its mission is to promote traditional Chinese culture and art, as well as to rescue and protect national treasures scattered overseas. The museum consists of two main sections: bronze ware and stone carvings. Most of the exhibits were rescued from abroad, with some being rare, unique, or even one-of-a-kind pieces of extremely high historical and artistic value. Among them, the “Exhibition of Treasures of Ancient Chinese Bronze Art” displays over 100 sets of exquisite bronze wares, showcasing the development and unique charm of ancient Chinese bronze civilization. The “Exhibition of Fine Ancient Chinese Stone Carving Statues” features more than 40 high-quality stone carvings, highlighting the splendor of Chinese Buddhist art. The Poly Art Museum has been hailed as “one of the most modern museums on the Chinese mainland” and has earned its place among China’s renowned museums.

　　More than 100 years ago, three bronze animal heads—the ox, monkey, and tiger—from the Old Summer Palace were looted by foreign powers. The Poly Group successfully brought them back to China, igniting patriotic enthusiasm among Chinese people both at home and abroad and earning widespread acclaim. After their return, these national treasures toured over ten major cities including Beijing, Hong Kong, Guangzhou, and Shanghai, bringing great prestige to the Poly Group and the Poly Museum.

　　The Poly Art Museum maintains rigorous standards in artifact acquisition and has developed a systematic method for collecting cultural relics. With the Poly Group’s outstanding reputation both domestically and internationally, artifacts can be brought to Beijing without upfront payment. Experts then independently examine and authenticate each piece, providing their opinions and issuing authentication certificates. Only after experts unanimously confirm the authenticity of the relics are prices negotiated with the sellers and payments made. This acquisition method ensures the authenticity and reliability of the museum’s collection.

　　Source: Beijing Municipal Commission of Tourism Development