To celebrate the first anniversary of the inscription of the Beijing Central Axis on the UNESCO World Heritage List, the exhibition “Imprints of a World Heritage Site: Beijing Central Axis in Seal Carving – Palace Museum Edition” opened on the afternoon of July 27, 2025, at the Palace Museum’s Hall of Literary Brilliance (Wenhua dian). Jointly organized by the Palace Museum, the Beijing Central Axis Protection Foundation, and Gehua Media Group, the exhibition highlights the cultural significance of the Beijing Central Axis, which has run through the heart of the ancient capital for over 700 years. Through a dialogue between imperial seal traditions and contemporary creations by ordinary citizens, the exhibition uses the compact form of seal carving to illustrate the historical depth and enduring vitality of the Beijing Central Axis. Distinguished guests attending the opening ceremony included Wang Xudong, a member of the Party Leadership Group of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and director of the Palace Museum; Du Haijiang, vice president and secretary of the CPC Leadership Group of the Palace Museum; Li Shouzhen, president of the Chinese Workers’ Association for Culture and Sports; Zhang Lixin, director of the Beijing Municipal Cultural Heritage Bureau; Mei Song, deputy chair and secretary general of the Beijing Central Axis Protection Foundation; Qi Yongqing, deputy Party secretary and chief legal advisor of Gehua Media Group; Luo Pengpeng, honorary director of the Seal Carving Institute at the Chinese National Academy of Arts; Rong Tie, former deputy director general of the Department of Culture of Xizang Autonomous Region, vice president of the Central Academy of Fine Arts of the China Democratic League, and a member of the Xiling Seal Engravers’ Society; and Li Danyang, art director at Gehua Media Group. On July 27, 2024, UNESCO announced the inscription of the “Beijing Central Axis: A Building Ensemble Exhibiting the Ideal Order of the Chinese Capital” on its list at the 46th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee. General Secretary Xi Jinping gave important instructions, emphasizing the need to “preserve the country’s cultural and natural treasures and renew their glamour in the new era.” This exhibition is a direct response to that call. Inspired by the popular art of seal carving, the exhibition aims to promote the creative transformation and innovative development of fine traditional Chinese culture. At the opening ceremony, Du Haijiang emphasized that the Palace Museum, as a key site on the Beijing Central Axis, bears the responsibility of preserving and promoting the traditional Chinese culture embodied within its walls. For this exhibition, the Museum has selected 20 imperial seals from its collection to be displayed alongside seal carvings created by the public, enabling a dialogue across centuries between tradition and innovation and showcasing the enduring vitality of Chinese civilization. “We hope visitors can feel the cultural pulse where the old meets the new through these works,” Du said. In his remarks, Zhang Lixin noted that the inclusion of the Beijing Central Axis in the World Heritage List in 2024 underscores its significance as a symbol of Chinese civilization. “It is our duty to protect, inherit, and make good use of this cultural axis that embodies the wisdom and memory of the Chinese nation. This exhibition captures not only the tangible heritage of the Beijing Central Axis but also its enduring cultural connotation,” he said. Luo Pengpeng highlighted the exhibition’s “people-centered” philosophy. Participants of the exhibition include professional seal carvers, students of all ages, and researchers, whose works reflect the public’s deep affection for the Beijing Central Axis. The chance to showcase their creations alongside imperial seals from the Palace Museum’s collection is also a testament to how cultural heritage protection in the new era is empowering cultural confidence and bringing people together through shared history and innovation. The exhibition is divided into two main sections, featuring 200 public seal-carving works and 20 Qing dynasty (1644-1911) imperial seals, creating a cultural dialogue across time. Public Seal Carving: A New Chapter for the Beijing Central Axis More than 200 seals created by artists as well as ordinary people from all walks of life including students, teachers, and workers are displayed at this section. Using seal carving as a medium, these works connect the 15 key heritage sites along the Beijing Central Axis, from Yongding Gate to the Drum and Bell Towers. Combining traditional seal-carving techniques with modern materials such as glass microspheres, light-sensitive resin, and fiberglass, many of the works also incorporate AI design and 3D printing, demonstrating how this ancient art form continues to evolve with the times. Palace Seals: Echoes of the Forbidden City This section features 20 imperial seals from the Qing dynasty, selected from the Palace Museum’s collection. These include seals used in state affairs, seals for authentication of calligraphy and painting by emperors and empresses, and personal seals. Nearly half of these items were last shown to the public in 2008. The inscriptions and craftsmanship of these seals offer insight into the imperial culture and legacy of Chinese seal carving. A 7.8-meter-long miniature model of the Beijing Central Axis distills the grandeur of the capital’s historical backbone into a compact form. A multimedia installation, “Time Capsule of the Beijing Central Axis,” allows visitors to explore the historical evolution of the Axis in an immersive manner. In a creative twist, the exhibition also features two sand paintings created by kindergarten teachers and students. With grains of sand, they render the impressive silhouette of the Beijing Central Axis and the upturning eaves and exquisite bracket sets of the Hall of Supreme Harmony (Taihe dian). These joyful contributions are not only reflective of young minds’ reverence for Chinese civilization but also highlight the vibrant interplay between traditional and contemporary art forms. Moreover, the bookstore at the Hall of Literary Brilliance (Wenhua dian) is proud to stock new publications including Marking the Central Axis of Beijing: A Public Seal Carving Collection, Eighteen Lessons in Public Seal Carving, and City Walks: Beijing Central Axis Exhibition Guide, a bilingual illustrated guidebook that serves as a pocket-sized travel companion for discovering this cultural landmark. From the majestic imperial seals of ancient palaces to contemporary creations by the public, this exhibition uses the language of seal carving to bring the history and vitality of the Beijing Central Axis to life. It is not only a celebration of cultural heritage shared by all, but also a conversation across time and space. Visitors are warmly invited to experience the enduring legacy and renewed brilliance of Chinese civilization, right here at the Palace Museum’s Hall of Literary Brilliance. Time: July 27 – September 12, 2025 Venue: Hall of Literary Brilliance (Wenhua dian) at the Palace Museum Reservation：Visitors may make real-name reservations through the Palace Museum’s multilingual website (https://bookingticket.dpm.org.cn).

Dear visitors, We would like to inform you that the Palace of Great Benevolence located in the area of the Six Eastern Palaces will be temporarily closed on July 30, 2025 for maintenance purposes. ‌Please check for future announcements regarding the reopening time. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding during this time. The Palace Museum July 29, 2025

On July 8, the Palace Museum held a ceremony to mark the launch of the English and Traditional Chinese versions of its youth website and the opening of the 2025 “Culture + Technology Training Camp” for young cultural professionals from Hong Kong and the Palace Museum. As the summer vacation begins, the Palace Museum aims to enrich young people’s cultural experiences through both online and offline activities. The event was organized by the Palace Museum and exclusively sponsored by the Institute of Philanthropy (IoP). Among the guests attending were Lou Wei, executive deputy director of the Palace Museum, Ann Kung Yeung Yun Chi, deputy chairman of IoP and Trustee of The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust, Huang Yulong, director of the Academy of Translation and Interpretation of China International Communications Group (CICG), and Eunice Chan Yin Ting, assistant director of the Office of the Government of the HKSAR in Beijing. In his address, Lou Wei noted that the Palace Museum stands as a brilliant testament to millennia of Chinese civilization, serving as a vital bridge that connects generations with their cultural heritage. General Secretary Xi Jinping has said that “In the drive to advance the building of a strong country and the realization of national rejuvenation through Chinese modernization, there is much that young people can achieve.” He encouraged young people to make full use of the Palace Museum’s resources to learn about traditional culture, gain knowledge and confidence, and take an active role in preserving and sharing this heritage. He also expressed hope that their skills and fresh ideas would help advance the development of culture and technology. Lou Wei, executive deputy director of the Palace Museum, delivers a speech in Beijing, July 8, 2025. Ann Kung Yeung Yun Chi said that the launch of the website’s English and Traditional Chinese versions represents a key milestone in the five-year partnership between the Institute of Philanthropy and the Palace Museum. She hoped the interactive website would help young people worldwide learn about and engagingly appreciate the vastness of Chinese culture. She also encouraged the participants of the inaugural “Culture + Technology Training Camp” to seize this valuable opportunity to explore how digital technologies can be applied to cultural heritage preservation and promotion, and to contribute to innovation and integration in the cultural and tourism industry. Ann Kung Yeung Yun Chi, deputy chairman of IoP and Trustee of The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust, delivers a speech in Beijing, July 8, 2025. The Palace Museum’s youth website, first launched in 2015, focuses on delivering knowledge in engaging ways tailored for young audiences. It offers hand-drawn illustrations, interactive tour routes, games, micro-animations, audio-visual content, and digital notebooks, creating an educational and entertaining platform on Chinese traditional culture. Professional teams from the CICG Academy of Translation and Interpretation translated the newly-launched English and Traditional Chinese versions. They developed tailored translation strategies accounting for linguistic and contextual differences to reach multiple target audiences. Key content from the simplified Chinese version of the youth website, including news, visitor guides, exhibitions, architecture, collections, and court history, has been made accessible in both English and Traditional Chinese. The 2025 “Culture + Technology Training Camp” focuses on talent development, recruiting young cultural practitioners from four Hong Kong universities and the Palace Museum for a training program centered on the theme of culture and technology. The camp features lectures from experts, field studies, group discussions, and workshops designed to promote traditional Chinese culture, cultivating professionals with global perspectives and innovative capabilities in cultural and technological integration. This training camp is part of the five-year collaborative initiative “Promotion of Chinese Culture and Arts Tech Talent Development in the Mainland and Hong Kong” between the Palace Museum and the IoP. The inaugural camp will run from July 7 to August 3, 2025. Guests and participants of the training camp pose for a group photo in Beijing, July 8, 2025. Looking ahead, the Palace Museum will continue to leverage its extensive cultural resources, deepen the integration of culture and technology, and develop new approaches to promote traditional Chinese culture. By doing so, it aims to nurture more professionals with strong expertise and creativity in cultural communication and technology.

Building on its rich collections and commitment to openness and sharing, the Palace Museum opened its latest exhibition “Galloping Through Time: Digital Reimagination of Horse Art and Culture” at the Great Hall of Exalted Mystery (Dagaoxuan dian). The exhibition is now open for group bookings from primary, secondary, and university students. Organized by the Palace Museum and exclusively sponsored by the Institute of Philanthropy (IoP), the exhibition offers visitors an immersive digital experience. As an interactive platform for art appreciation and knowledge exploration it can help young audiences deepen their understanding of preserving and carrying forward fine traditional Chinese culture. The opening ceremony was attended by Wang Xudong, a member of the Party Leadership Group of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism (MCT) and director of the Palace Museum; Lester Huang, IoP chairman and trustee of the Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust; and Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, IoP director and CEO of the Hong Kong Jockey Club. Other attendees included representatives from the MCT, the National Cultural Heritage Administration (NCHA), the China Soong Ching Ling Foundation, the Beijing Xicheng District People’s Government, the Office of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in Beijing, the Hong Kong Jockey Club, Tsinghua University, Beijing Normal University, and the Forbidden City Cultural Heritage Conservation Foundation. Lou Wei, executive deputy director of the Palace Museum, and IoP chairman Lester Huang delivered speeches on behalf of their respective organizations. Zhu Hongwen, deputy director of the Palace Museum, presided over the opening ceremony. The Great Hall of Exalted Mystery is the Palace Museum’s second fully digital exhibition hall. The Palace Museum has created a real-time digital system that connects its storage, database, and exhibition space, allowing visitors to access and explore a vast collection of over 100,000 digitized artifacts. The exhibition hall is a versatile space that combines exhibition, research, and education. The exhibition “Galloping through Time: Digital Reimagination of Horse Art and Culture” highlights the symbolic significance of the horse and its close ties to human civilization. It features over 500 ultra-high-resolution images of horse-related artifacts from the Palace Museum’s collection. Advanced technologies including immersive projections, 3D interactions, and knowledge mapping help visitors experience these rare cultural relics in new ways. In his speech, Lou Wei noted that in recent years, the Palace Museum has intensified efforts to complete archival imaging of nearly one million artifacts in its collection, making them publicly available through digital platforms such as the “Digital Cultural Relics Database” and “The Palace Museum’s Masterpieces.” As the Palace Museum’s “Version 3.0” digital exhibition space, the Great Hall of Exalted Mystery represents a major step forward in the museum’s efforts to digitally preserve and share cultural heritage. It not only brings out the rich value of digital artifacts but also plays an increasingly important role in academic research and youth education. He explained that the exhibition is part of the “Promotion of Chinese Culture and Arts Tech Talent Development in the Mainland and Hong Kong” initiative, supported by IoP. Guided by the principles of openness, innovation, and collaboration, both partners are committed to pushing for creative transformation and innovative development of fine Chinese traditional culture, Lou said. Lester Huang said in his speech that the partnership between IoP and the Palace Museum aims to promote traditional Chinese culture, nurture talent in art and technology, and support Hong Kong’s development as a hub for international cultural exchange between China and the rest of the world. He noted that this horse-themed exhibition builds on the Palace Museum’s rich cultural legacy, and that the horse artifacts from various dynasties reflect the spirit of their eras and embody the deep cultural admiration the Chinese people have long held for the horse. He also expressed hope that through this exhibition, more young people will be inspired by the values of courage, perseverance, and diligence embodied by the horse — and will experience the power of cutting-edge digital technology. The “Galloping through Time: Digital Reimagination of Horse Art and Culture” exhibition at the Great Hall of Exalted Mystery will begin accepting group reservations from primary, secondary, and university students starting June 4, 2025. Reservations can be made by calling 400-950-1925. Capacity is limited each day and available on a first-come, first-served basis. Visitors must present a valid ID and arrive on time according to their confirmed reservation.

On May 26, 2025, the exhibition “A Thousand-Year Legacy of Caihua: Inheritance and Innovation in Official-Style Chinese Architectural Polychrome Painting” opened to the public at the Palace of Eternal Longevity (Yongshou gong) in the Palace Museum. The opening ceremony took place on the same day, attended by Wang Xudong, director of the Palace Museum; Du Haijiang, Party secretary and deputy director of the Palace Museum; Lou Wei, executive deputy director of the Palace Museum; Yang Zhouxian, deputy director of the management center of China National Arts Fund (CNAF); Deng Chao, director general of the Department of Cultural Relics and Historic Sites at the National Cultural Heritage Administration (NCHA); Li Bingzhong, vice president of Shaanxi Normal University; Li Li, deputy director of the China Academy of Cultural Heritage; along with teachers and student representatives from the training program funded by CNAF— “Talent Training on the Official-Style Chinese Architectural Polychrome Painting Design.” Zhao Peng, deputy director of the Department of Architectural Conservation Management at the Palace Museum, presided over the ceremony. In his speech, Lou Wei emphasized that official-style Chinese Caihua (architectural polychrome painting) represents a traditional art form with profound cultural significance. The official-style Chinese Caihua from the Ming and Qing dynasties, housed at the Palace Museum, are masterpieces that showcase the wisdom and creativity of ancient Chinese artisans. He stated that these works deserve careful preservation, thorough research, and active promotion. Lou expressed gratitude to CNAF and Shaanxi Normal University for their support, and praised the generations of Palace Museum staff for their lasting dedication to the research and preservation of official-style Chinese Caihua. Deng Chao stressed that NCHA will continue to support initiatives in this area. He noted that Caihua will be designated as a specific topic in the 15th Five-Year Plan for architectural heritage protection and research, which will encourage more systematic studies and public involvement. The exhibition, held at the Palace of Eternal Longevity, is divided into two major sections: “Tradition” and “Innovation.” The “Tradition” section comprises seven units, featuring 43 carefully selected copies and painting samples that showcase the finest examples of official-style Chinese Caihua items from the Sui through the Qing dynasties. Many of these pieces had never before displayed publicly. The “Innovation” section features four units and presents 38 creative artworks (sets) by 23 students from the art training program supported by CNAF. According to Yang Hong, deputy director of the Department of Architectural Conservation Management at the Palace Museum and the chief curator of the exhibition, the event offers an insightful overview of the development of ancient Chinese Caihua. It also serves as a showcase for the outcomes of the aforesaid art training program. Yang expressed her hope that the training program, along with the exhibition, published books, and video materials, would mark a new beginning for the preservation and innovation of this traditional art form, strengthening its role in promoting cultural prosperity and advancing the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. The exhibition runs until August 26, 2025. On the afternoon of the opening day, a seminar on official-style Chinese Caihua was held at the auditorium of the Institute for Digital Application of Cultural Assets in the Palace Museum. Experts and scholars engaged in in-depth discussions on the historical development and artistic value of official-style Chinese Caihua. Through keynote presentations and exchanges, the seminar highlighted innovative applications of traditional painting techniques in the context of modern technology and design, providing academic support for the preservation and development of this art form. During the seminar, several experts presented their findings. Yang Hong, deputy director of the Department of Architectural Conservation Management of the Palace Museum; Sun Yihua, associate researcher at the Dunhuang Academy; Chen Tong, senior engineer at the Department of Architectural Conservation Management of the Palace Museum; Ding Yao, professor at the School of Architecture of Tianjin University; Li Luke, associate professor and doctoral supervisor at the School of Architecture of Tsinghua University; and Ji Lifang, senior engineer at the Department of Architectural Conservation Management of the Palace Museum, all shared insights on various topics. These included the curation of the exhibition, Northern Song-era Caihua on the eaves of Dunhuang grottoes, the spirit of Caihua in the Tang and Song dynasties, Liao-era Caihua at the Fengguo Temple in Yixian County, key features of Caihua at the Yongle Palace, and Caihua samples from the Ming and Qing dynasties. Additionally, Sheng Qing, a student representative, also introduced his artwork “The Splendor of a Thousand Years” at the seminar.

On May 13, 2025, the opening ceremony for “The Ways in Patterns: An Immersive Digital Exhibition from the Palace Museum” was held at the Hong Kong Palace Museum (HKPM). The exhibition is jointly organized by the Palace Museum and the HKPM, and exclusively sponsored by the Institute of Philanthropy. Among the distinguished guests attending the ceremony were Luo Xianliang, deputy secretary of the Party Committee and deputy director of the Palace Museum, Leo Kung, chairman of the HKPM Board, Ann Kung Yeung Yun Chi, trustee of the Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust and vice chairwoman of the Institute of Philanthropy, Betty Fung, chief executive officer of the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority, and Dr. Louis Ng, director of the HKPM. This exhibition marks the first digital exhibition jointly organized by the Palace Museum and the HKPM. Themed around “patterns” and grounded in the concept of “immersion,” the exhibition draws traditional patterns from the Palace Museum’s architecture, ceramics, and embroidered textiles, reimaging them through cutting-edge digital technology, presenting both the cultural significance behind these traditional motifs and their contemporary artistic interpretations. The exhibition seeks to showcase the beauty of traditional Chinese culture through the use of digital technology. It invites audiences to explore the charm of this culture from a new perspective and to witness the rebirth of traditional patterns in the digital age. Through dynamic lighting and shifting forms, auspicious motifs rich in cultural connotations, such as bat-and-peach symbols, sea-and-dragon designs, and intertwining lotus patterns, are brought to life with renewed vibrancy. Visitors may feel as if they were stepping into a dreamlike landscape constructed entirely of traditional patterns. “The Institute of Philanthropy is committed to advancing the exchange and development of charitable endeavors nationally and globally. This exhibition represents a key milestone in our five-year cooperation plan with the Palace Museum. The initiative aims to promote fine traditional Chinese culture, nurture talent in arts technology, and strengthen Hong Kong’s position as a hub for international cultural exchange. The timing makes this event especially meaningful, as it coincides with both the Palace Museum’s centennial celebration and the Hong Kong Jockey Club’s 140th anniversary;” said Ann Kung Yeung Yun Chi. Luo Xianliang expressed that the inaugural joint digital exhibition between the Palace Museum and the HKPM reflects their shared commitment to showcasing Chinese cultural treasures to audiences worldwide and promoting mutual understanding and respect between different cultures. He is eager to leverage digital technology to advance traditional culture in a global context. Leo Kung said that traditional Chinese patterns are known for their enduring vibrancy and charm. “The Ways in Patterns” breathes life into the static motifs found in artifacts and architecture through technology, guiding audiences from around the world into an immersive world of elegance within traditional Chinese aesthetics. “The Ways in Patterns” is the third exhibition co-organised by the HKPM and the Palace Museum this year. The HKPM will continue to work with the Palace Museum to promote and preserve China’s rich cultural heritage through innovative curatorial approaches, further leveraging Hong Kong’s unique role in international art and cultural exchange. Last May, the Hong Kong Jockey Club and the Institute of Philanthropy signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on cooperation with the Palace Museum. Titled “Promotion of Chinese Culture and Arts Tech Talent Development in the Mainland and Hong Kong,” the MOU outlines the Institute of Philanthropy’s commitment to promoting Chinese culture and values across Hong Kong, the Chinese mainland, and globally. It also supports initiatives aimed at developing talent in the art technology and cultural sectors. The exhibition is a key initiative under the collaboration, offering Hong Kong citizens and visitors an intimate opportunity to experience the Palace Museum culture while fostering meaningful cultural exchanges between the Chinese mainland and Hong Kong. “The Ways in Patterns: An Immersive Digital Exhibition from the Palace Museum” will open to the public in Gallery 7 of the HKPM on May 14 and run through October 13, 2025.