Poly Art Museum is a compact museum on the ninth floor of New Poly Plaza in Beijing, near Dongsi Shitiao metro station. Its collection focuses on Chinese relics recovered from overseas, with bronze vessels, Buddhist stone carvings and four bronze zodiac fountainheads taken from the Old Summer Palace in 1860. The exhibits are carefully lit and displayed behind glass, and the quiet galleries suit visitors who want time to look closely. English labels give object names but little further detail, so check the display for headset symbols.
A collection of recovered relics
Poly Art Museum is on the ninth floor of New Poly Plaza, an office building near Dongsi Shitiao metro station. Its collection brings together Chinese cultural relics recovered from overseas, with bronze and stone carvings as its main subjects. The exhibits are arranged behind glass and lit individually, giving visitors room to focus on the objects.
The museum is compact, with a carefully selected collection rather than a large number of displays. Bronze vessels include intricate ancient cooking pieces. Buddhist stone carvings date to the Northern Qi, Northern Wei and Tang dynasties. Together, the works offer a close look at different forms of Chinese art and craft.
The Old Summer Palace fountainheads
The four bronze animal heads are the museum’s central draw: a pig, monkey, tiger and ox. They were taken from the Old Summer Palace in 1860 and later recovered from overseas. Their presence connects the museum visit with the history of the palace and the dispersal of its cultural relics.
Three other recovered fountainheads are held elsewhere in Beijing: the rat and rabbit heads are in the National Museum, while the horse head is in the Capital Museum. Poly Art Museum’s displays also include Buddhist carvings, so the visit extends beyond the zodiac figures.
Reading the displays
English labels provide simple names for the objects, but there is little additional English explanation. Check each nameplate for a headset symbol, which indicates a possible audio guide. Ticket purchases are made at the concierge desk in the building’s main lobby before you head to the museum floor.
Nanxincang Culture and Leisure Street is next to the Poly building and makes a convenient addition to the outing. The museum’s quiet atmosphere suits visitors who want to examine the bronzes and carvings without a guided group.
FAQ
Where is Poly Art Museum?
It is on the ninth floor of New Poly Plaza in Beijing, near Dongsi Shitiao metro station.
What is the main exhibit at Poly Art Museum?
The main draw is a group of four bronze zodiac fountainheads, depicting a pig, monkey, tiger and ox, taken from the Old Summer Palace in 1860.
Are there English explanations?
The labels give simple English names, but offer little further detail. Look for headset symbols on nameplates to spot pieces that may have audio guides.
Where do you buy tickets?
Buy tickets at the concierge desk in the main lobby of New Poly Plaza.
