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, which was hosted by the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism and organized by Jingguang 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 a unique and engaging popular science class on ancient Chinese architecture for both adults and children. From the perspective of children, he explained in simple terms the aesthetic design and architectural principles of ancient Chinese buildings.
After gaining a basic understanding of ancient architecture, participants began their tour from the Hall of the God of Years courtyard, exploring the five sections of the main exhibition, "Exhibition of Ancient Chinese Architecture." They learned about the development 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 art of city planning by ancient craftsmen – showcasing ancient Chinese cities, and an appreciation of various types of ancient Chinese architecture. Throughout the tour, adults were amazed, while children continuously asked questions, immersing themselves in an ocean of knowledge.
The highlight and most challenging part of the event was the hands-on assembly of dougong (interlocking wooden brackets). With prior knowledge, participants understood the importance of dougong in ancient architecture but were also amazed by the meticulous design thinking of the ancients. In the final segment, families worked together—children and parents researching in collaboration and under the guidance of the teacher—to assemble 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 engaging classroom to learn about and study the culture of ancient Chinese architecture, allowing ordinary people to experience firsthand 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.