The Years of Mountains and Rivers Condensed in One Vessel

Understanding China at the National Museum on the Basement Level 1 Every time I come to Beijing, I fail to visit the National Museum because I can't get a reservation. This time, I set an alarm early, but still couldn't book... so I had to buy a 120 yuan ticket for the special exhibition. Huh, this familiar routine? Fortunately, there wasn’t much of a queue. After multiple rounds of security checks, I finally entered the spacious hall. This museum, currently the largest single-building museum in the world by floor area, is solemn, quiet, and expansive. As the crowd slowly moves downward, it feels like stepping into a tunnel of time—the "Ancient China" exhibition hall. The Houmuwu Square Ding, whose pictures I have seen countless times in books, is far less shocking than seeing it in person. The heavy and majestic shape, the clearly distinguishable taotie patterns, it’s as if the sound of bronze-age sacrificial bells is ringing in my ears. The Four-Goat Square Zun represents the pinnacle of bronze casting technology in the Shang Dynasty. It was not cast in one piece but used the most advanced piece-molding technique of the time, combining solemnity and elegance in one. The Hongshan Culture Jade Dragon, praised as the "First Dragon of China," has a simple and rustic shape yet exudes dignity and spirit. In an era without any metal tools, how did the ancestors create such smooth, symmetrical, and precise jade artifacts? Bronze ritual music instruments, Tang Sancai pottery, porcelain, imperial cloisonné enamel... each exhibit is an indispensable chapter in the long narrative of Chinese culture. The most popular exhibit is undoubtedly the Empress Xiaoduan’s Nine-Dragon Nine-Phoenix Crown. Originally a regular exhibit, it now requires long queues due to social media hype. Many people only stop briefly for photos and check-ins, with few truly appreciating the exhibit itself. I didn’t join the long line but paused outside the barrier to admire it for a while. Empress Xiaoduan Wang was the primary consort of Emperor Wanli and reigned for 42 years. This phoenix crown is the highest symbol of her status and honor as the motherly figure of the Ming Dynasty and also witnesses the strength of the Ming Dynasty during Wanli’s reign and the peak of court craftsmanship. The main color of the crown is a deep yet vivid blue, not paint but the legendary "Dian Cui" technique—embedding the bright blue feathers from the back of live kingfishers, strand by strand, onto a metal base. This blue is gorgeous and never fades. To obtain the feathers, the kingfishers must be alive to ensure the best color. The birds do not die immediately after feather removal but eventually perish from excessive blood loss or unhealed wounds. Although beautiful, such a complex and cruel craft should indeed be retired from history. When visiting the museum, how can one not browse the cultural and creative shop? Taking advantage of fewer people, I slowly picked out items and left fully loaded. However, the metal phoenix crown fridge magnet had to be purchased by scanning a code in the first-floor hall, which seemed unnecessarily complicated. Five or six hours passed; I forgot to drink water and go to the restroom, completely immersed in a wonderful sense of satisfaction. Only when I left the National Museum, stomach growling, did I remember—hey! I spent 120 yuan on the special exhibition and didn’t even get to see it! [Facepalm][Facepalm] National Museum of China