National Art Museum of China
Quick answer
National Art Museum of China in Beijing, China — the National Art Museum of China (NAMOC) on Wusi Dajie in Beijing was established in 1963 in a Chinese-style pavilion with traditional upturned eaves. Open Tuesday to Sunday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM; closed Mondays. Admission: free standard admission. Allow 1.5–2 hours and book a timed ticket ahead.
Visitor information last reviewed 30 June 2026. Check the official museum site for current details.
National Art Museum of China at a glance: hours, tickets and time needed
| Opening hours | Tuesday to Sunday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
|---|---|
| Closed | Mondays |
| Admission | Free standard admission |
| Booking | Book a timed ticket in advance — peak slots sell out |
| Time needed | 1.5–2 hours |
| Best time to visit | Weekday mornings at 9 AM opening with advance reservation. |
| Getting there | Metro: Line 8 to National Art Museum of China station — exit directly at the museum |
| Address | 1 Wusi Daijie, Dongcheng, Beijing, China |
| Official website | en.namoc.org |
Checked 2026-06-30 against the official website. Prices and hours change — confirm before you travel.
What is National Art Museum of China known for?
The National Art Museum of China (NAMOC) on Wusi Dajie in Beijing was established in 1963 in a Chinese-style pavilion with traditional upturned eaves. It is the national gallery for modern and contemporary Chinese art — not to be confused with the Palace Museum in the Forbidden City.
The collection of over 110,000 works spans modern Chinese painting, oil painting, printmaking, sculpture, and folk art. Strengths include 20th-century ink painting (guohua), revolutionary art, and contemporary experimental work.
NAMOC hosts the Beijing International Art Biennale and major loan exhibitions. The permanent display rotates — modern Chinese ink painting by Qi Baishi, Xu Beihong, and Li Keran are collection highlights.
Admission is free with advance reservation. The museum sits near Wangfujing and the Forbidden City — easily combined with other Beijing sights.
Best for: Art Lovers · Chinese art enthusiasts · First-timers
How long do you need at National Art Museum of China?
Allow 1.5–2 hours. A focused route through 4 must-see highlights at National Art Museum of China without museum fatigue. Follow the stops in order:
- 1
Galloping Horse
📍 Modern Chinese painting gallery
Xu Beihong's iconic ink painting of a galloping horse — among the most reproduced images in modern Chinese art and a NAMOC collection highlight.
- 2
Ink Landscapes
📍 Modern Chinese painting gallery
Qi Baishi's bold ink paintings of shrimp, flowers, and landscapes — the master of modern guohua whose work defines 20th-century Chinese ink painting.
- 3
Revolutionary Art
📍 Special exhibition galleries
Socialist realist painting and propaganda art from the founding of the PRC — an important document of 20th-century Chinese visual culture.
- 4
Contemporary Ink Experiments
📍 Contemporary art galleries
Contemporary artists reworking traditional ink techniques — NAMOC tracks the ongoing dialogue between classical guohua and global contemporary art.
What are the must-see works at National Art Museum of China?
4 highlights that define the collection: Galloping Horse, Ink Landscapes, Revolutionary Art and more.
Galloping Horse
Xu Beihong · 1941
📍 Modern Chinese painting gallery
Xu Beihong's iconic ink painting of a galloping horse — among the most reproduced images in modern Chinese art and a NAMOC collection highlight.
Ink Landscapes
Qi Baishi · 20th century
📍 Modern Chinese painting gallery
Qi Baishi's bold ink paintings of shrimp, flowers, and landscapes — the master of modern guohua whose work defines 20th-century Chinese ink painting.
Revolutionary Art
Various · 1950s–1970s
📍 Special exhibition galleries
Socialist realist painting and propaganda art from the founding of the PRC — an important document of 20th-century Chinese visual culture.
Contemporary Ink Experiments
Various · ongoing
📍 Contemporary art galleries
Contemporary artists reworking traditional ink techniques — NAMOC tracks the ongoing dialogue between classical guohua and global contemporary art.
Collections and highlights
- • Modern Chinese ink painting — Qi Baishi, Xu Beihong, Li Keran
- • 20th-century oil painting and Western-influenced art
- • Revolutionary and socialist realist art
- • Contemporary Chinese art and experimental work
- • Printmaking, sculpture, and folk art
- • Beijing International Art Biennale host
- • Over 110,000 works in the collection
Tips for visiting National Art Museum of China
- 1.
Best time to visit
Weekday mornings at 9 AM opening with advance reservation. Avoid public holidays when reservations fill instantly.
- 2.
Crowds & busy periods
Moderate — popular with domestic tour groups. Free admission means high turnover. Reserve ahead online.
- 3.
Tickets & booking
Free with advance reservation via WeChat or official website. Passport required for entry. Special exhibitions may charge.
- 4.
Food & cafés nearby
Wangfujing snack street; restaurants along Wusi Dajie and Dongcheng district.
- 5.
Accessibility
Accessible main galleries. Traditional pavilion building has some stairs — check current access routes.
How do you get to National Art Museum of China?
- metro Line 8 to National Art Museum of China station — exit directly at the museum
- metro Line 5 or 6 to Dongsi — 5-minute walk to Wusi Dajie
- walk 10 minutes from Wangfujing; 15 minutes from Forbidden City east gate
Address: 1 Wusi Daijie, Dongcheng, Beijing, China
National Art Museum of China: frequently asked questions
Is reservation required?
Yes, free timed reservations should be booked in advance.
Is photography allowed?
Yes, in most galleries without flash.
How long should I spend at National Art Museum of China?
Plan 1.5–2 hours for the highlights of National Art Museum of China. Our 4-stop route — Galloping Horse, Ink Landscapes, Revolutionary Art and more — is designed to fit that time. Add extra time for temporary exhibitions, the shop and the café.
What is National Art Museum of China best known for?
NAMOC opened in 1963 in a yellow-glazed-tile pavilion designed by Dai Nianci. It is China's flagship venue for exhibitions of modern and contemporary Chinese art. Key highlights include Modern Chinese ink painting, Yan'an woodblock print collection, Folk-art gallery.
How do I get tickets for National Art Museum of China?
Free standard admission. Book a free timed ticket on the official website to guarantee entry at busy times. Official site: http://en.namoc.org/
Is NAMOC the same as the Palace Museum?
No — NAMOC (National Art Museum of China) on Wusi Dajie holds modern and contemporary Chinese art. The Palace Museum is in the Forbidden City and holds imperial collections of ancient Chinese art, ceramics, and bronzes.
Do I need a reservation?
Yes — free admission requires advance timed reservation via the official website or WeChat mini-program. Passport or ID required at entry.
What is modern Chinese ink painting?
Guohua — traditional Chinese ink painting revived and modernised in the 20th century by artists like Qi Baishi and Xu Beihong, who combined classical brush techniques with modern subjects and Western-influenced composition.
Is National Art Museum of China open on Mondays?
No — National Art Museum of China is closed every Monday. It is open Tuesday to Sunday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM. Plan a different museum for that day, and check the official website for holiday changes.
What are National Art Museum of China's opening hours?
National Art Museum of China is open Tuesday to Sunday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM, and closed Mondays. Hours can change for holidays and events, so check the official website before you go.
Is National Art Museum of China free to visit?
Yes — free standard admission.
