The National Museum of China was inaugurated on February 28th, 2003, directly under the Ministry of Culture of P.R. China. Formed on the basis of the National Museum of Chinese History and the National Museum of Chinese Revolution, the National Museum of China is a comprehensive museum focusing on history and arts, systematically showing the long history of China.
The origin of the National Museum of Chinese History is the Preliminary Office of National History Museum set up on July 9th, 1912. As the People’s Republic of China was founded on the October 1st, 1949, the Preliminary Office was renamed as the BeijingNationalHistoryMuseumunder the Ministry of Culture of the Central Government. Later on it was entitled as the National Museum of Chinese History in 1959.
The National Museum of Chinese Revolution grew out of the Preliminary Office of National Museum of Revolution set up on March 1950. In 1960, it was entitled as National Museum of Chinese Revolution

In August 1959, the construction of the main building for the two museums was completed, to the east side of Tian’anmen Square. On the October 1st of the same year, they opened to the public, on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the People’s Republic of China.
The old building of the National Museum of China will go through renovation and enlargement from the year 2007 to 2009, expanding the floor space from 65,000㎡ at present to 192,000㎡. At that time, the NationalMuseum will be equipped with a new set of modernized museum facilities. With proper qualified staffs, the museum’s collection, exhibitions, and equipments will be upgraded to a comparable high level correspond with its status. The National Museum of China will be constructed to a world-leading museum comparable with the time-honored civilization of China.
With the task of archaeological excavation, collection, research and exhibition, the National Museum of China systematically and comprehensively collect treasured antiquities of China which reflecting the Chinese history of ancient time, contemporary and modern times. Through the permanent exhibitions and special exhibitions, the National Museum of China presents and publicizes the spectacular history and magnificent culture of China, and introduces the brilliant world civilizations to the visitors at home and abroad. The museum also pays importance to study and research onto history, archaeology, antiquities, museology, so as to enrich and deepen people’s knowledge and understanding of history and culture, and to improve the development of Chinese museums. The NationalMuseum will become an important public venue in the center of Capital Beijing for cultural recreation and enjoyment.