Recently, the Beijing Ancient Architecture Museum welcomed dozens of residents from Bajiao Community in Shijingshan District. They came to participate in the “Tourism into the Community – Visiting the Beijing Ancient Architecture Museum” event, jointly organized by the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism and hosted by Jing Guang Tianzhong (Beijing) Cultural Technology Co., Ltd. It is reported that this event was the final stop of the 2019 Tourism into the Community series. Community residents seized the opportunity to sign up enthusiastically, all eager to witness the wisdom of the ancients.
The Beijing Ancient Architecture Museum officially opened to the public on September 25, 1991. It is China’s first thematic museum dedicated to collecting, researching, and exhibiting the history, art, and technology of ancient Chinese architecture. In line with the historical development of ancient Chinese architecture, experts and lecturers from Peking University, including Mr. Zhao Xianchao, guided community residents on a tour of the “Exhibition of Ancient Chinese Architecture.”
At the start of the event, Mr. Zhao delivered an engaging and enlightening class on ancient Chinese architecture knowledge for both adults and children, explaining the aesthetic design and architectural principles of ancient Chinese buildings in a simple and accessible way from a child’s perspective.
After gaining a basic understanding of ancient architecture, participants began their tour from the Hall of the God of Years courtyard, following the main five sections of the “Exhibition of Ancient Chinese Architecture.” They learned about the developmental history of ancient Chinese architecture, traditional Chinese construction techniques, the worship of the God of Years – featuring a restored display of the Altar of the God of Years, the planning of cities by craftsmen – showcasing ancient Chinese cities, and an appreciation of various types of ancient Chinese architecture. Throughout the visit, adults were amazed time and again, while children continuously asked questions, fully immersed in an ocean of knowledge.
Hands-on assembly of Dougong (interlocking wooden brackets) became the highlight and most challenging part of the event. With prior knowledge, everyone understood the importance of Dougong in ancient architecture but also marveled at the meticulous design thinking of the ancients. In the final segment, families worked together – with parents and children researching in collaboration and under the guidance of instructors – to complete the assembly of a Dougong model. Each child received a small mortise-and-tenon souvenir as a reward for their efforts.
This event provided community residents with an enriching classroom to learn about and study ancient Chinese architectural culture, allowing the public to personally experience the unique charm of ancient buildings. Everyone spoke highly of the event and expressed hope for more opportunities to participate in similar activities in the future—not only to broaden their horizons but also for the unique educational value it offers to children’s growth.