New Year Celebrations at Huairou Museum: A Cultural Journey

The New Year Brings New Joys: Experience the Festivities at Huairou Museum

Recently, the Huairou Museum has been decorated with colorful lanterns, and various dragon-themed exhibits are making their grand return. With the spirit of the season and the museum’s unique collections, they have launched a series of exhibitions and cultural activities, inviting the community to experience a “Chinese New Year at the Museum!”

On February 1st, the “New Year’s Art: Paper Flowers Blooming” lecture featured children painting new clothes for the “chubby doll” in the picture and cutting paper window decorations. Teachers from the Huairou Calligraphy Association demonstrated their brush skills, writing Spring Festival couplets and sending good fortune to visitors. The museum was filled with a lively, festive atmosphere.

Feeling inspired yet? You may wonder what else there is to do at the museum during the New Year celebrations. Here’s your guide to making the most of your visit:

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Upon entering the museum, visitors must register on the first floor. To streamline the process, the museum has upgraded its visitor registration system. You can sign up with an ID card, and if you forget it, simply enter your ID number to complete the registration.

Once you’re registered, feel free to explore Huairou Museum!

On the first floor, you’ll find the New Year’s Wishes area, where you can take a photo with the adorable “Dragon of Good Fortune” and wish for a prosperous and lucky year ahead. Afterward, you can visit the “Reading the City—Exploring Beijing’s Central Axis” exhibition, a touring exhibit from the Capital Museum, and learn about the heart of Beijing and its urban development history. There is also the “Huairou Stone Carvings and Engravings” exhibition, showcasing “Huairou’s history carved in stone.”

Upstairs on the second floor, you’ll find the History and Culture Experience Area, displaying artifacts unearthed in Huairou. Visitors can learn about the region’s rich history by reading the explanations or listening to audio guides.

You’ll also encounter a carefully crafted ancient life scene—can you match it with the artifacts displayed in the museum? Which dynasty do these noble life scenes belong to? Visitors can engage in this “cultural puzzle,” bringing artifacts to life by identifying and interacting with them, while learning about history in a fun and engaging way.

Finally, head to the third floor to experience the Folk Culture area, where you’ll find the “Dragon Year: A Lucky Journey” photo backdrop. You can explore the “Craftsmanship and Charm: Huairou’s Intangible Cultural Heritage” exhibition and immerse yourself in the nostalgia of Huairou’s traditions. Here, you can also try traditional Chinese festival games, such as “Lucky Rings” ring toss, “Bullseye” pot throwing, “New Year’s Fortune” riddle guessing, and hands-on craft activities.

If you’re looking to pick up a special souvenir, follow the event rules! Collect a set of photos from the museum’s designated areas and share them on social media to receive the museum’s exclusive “New Year Blessing Card” with stamps of historical artifacts, along with a unique cultural gift.

The museum is open from Tuesday to Sunday (closed on Mondays), from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM (last registration at 4:00 PM). Celebrate the festive Dragon Year with us—there’s no better place to enjoy the cultural life of the Spring Festival!