The inauguration ceremony of the Zhongguancun History Museum is held on Dec 11, 2020. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Zhongguancun History Museum officially opened on Dec 11, 2020, along with an online exhibition.

Located at No. 18 Shuangyushuxili, Zhongguancun History Museum covers 640 square meters and has emerged as a new cultural landmark in Zhongguancun.

Construction of the museum took nearly three years, and it is the first street-level exhibition hall in Haidian district to showcase the historical and technological changes of Zhongguancun. 

The museum is divided into four parts: "Zhongguan·Memory," "Science·Advance," "Entrepreneurship·Experiment," and "China·World." 

Maps highlight the evolution and name changes of Zhongguancun over the years. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

These exhibitions explore Zhongguancun's development process and its history of science, technology and innovative ideas through archival objects, films, miniature sand tables, interactive projections and other mediums.

The "Zhongguan·Memory" exhibition area introduces Zhongguancun before 1949. The display is divided into four parts: the previous life of Haidian, the naming of Zhongguan, the area's pioneering atmosphere, and the welcoming of a new life. 

Maps from different periods are also displayed in the museum, highlighting the evolution and name changes of Zhongguancun over the years. Zhongguancun was previously written as "Zhonggong," "Zhongguan" and even "Zhongwan."

More than one hundred academicians of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences live on Zhongguancun Street. 

Handprints of these academicians collected over the years are hung on the side of the stairs leading to the museum's basement level.

Handprints of academicians living on Zhongguancun Street are on display in the museum. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

More than 350 exhibits are on display in the exhibition hall, covering daily necessities, technological products, archives and more. Of these, more than 200 were provided by companies, while more than 60 exhibits were collected from villagers. A total of 116 came from the Beijing Branch of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

"The Zhongguancun History Museum showcases the scientific, technological and cultural achievements and social changes of Zhongguancun through a combination of cultural and historical materials and physical exhibitions,’ said Xu Yun, secretary of the Party Working Committee of Zhongguancun Street. “We hope that after reviewing Zhongguancun’s glorious journey, visitors will be inspired.” 

Groups of visitors can book an appointment in advance to visit the Zhongguancun History Museum, and individuals are encouraged to visit the online exhibition hall.