As athletes from all over the world are showcasing their best skills at the Paris 2024 Olympics, the Beijing Olympic Museum (BOM), in the world's first ever dual-Olympic city 8,200 kilometers away, is depicting the city's special memories of the Olympics and demonstrating the eternal Olympic spirit.
The BOM is a permanent topic museum with the theme of the Olympics and an important institution for inheriting the Olympic cultural heritage.
After having been closed for renovations lasting more than two years, the museum reopened to the public in February to mark the second anniversary of the 2022 Beijing Olympic Winter Games.
Located south of the National Stadium known as the "Bird's Nest", the museum, founded in 2009, now covers a total area of 26,000 square meters. Through more than a thousand exhibits, the museum demonstrates Beijing's legacy as a dual Olympic city.
The museum has three sessions to showcase 1,394 exhibits and a large amount of pictures and videos of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics, the Beijing 2008 Summer Olympics and the city's experience of hosting two Games.
Through scene restoration, multimedia sand table and physical exhibits, the museum fully displays China's experiences in bidding, preparing and hosting the two Games.
Torches for the Beijing 2008 Summer Olympics and the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics are the most distinctive exhibits here.
The museum has set up an interactive electronic screen for visitors to admire every detail of the torch for the 2022 Winter Games. The material object of the torch for the 2008 Summer Games that had been brought to the top of Mount Qomolangma is on display in the museum.
The museum has attracted flocks of youngsters and sport enthusiasts from all over the country during the summer vacation.
"I came here to admire the spirit of athletes, and I like sports very much," said Zhao Ruyu, a visitor.
"I watched the Beijing 2008 Summer Olympics and also the 2022 Winter Olympics. I was very impressed by both of them. Today, I came to the Beijing Olympic Museum and know the stories of Olympic champions, which were also impressive," said Chen Yuxuan, another tourist.
During the summer tourism peak, the BOM has also organized some special study and research activities, temporary art exhibitions and special activities related to the Olympics.
Topic museum in world’s first ever dual-Olympic city demonstrates eternal Olympic spirit
As the Qingming Festival approaches this Friday, various traditional folk activities have been held across China, celebrating the rich cultural heritage of the occasion.
With a 2,500-year history, Qingming Festival, or the Festival of Pure Brightness, observed in early April, uniquely combines ancestral worship with the celebration of spring. Falling on the 15th day after the spring equinox, this ritual-rich observance reflects China's enduring values of ancestral veneration and inspires deep introspection about what gives life meaning.
In Sijia Village, Huayin City, northwest China’s Shaanxi Province, a unique swing festival is held to mark the occasion. Eighteen different types of traditional swings, such as the spinning wheel swing, the Bagua swing reminiscent of a rotating carousel, and the balance swing designed for two people, have attracted many visitors.
Historically, Sijia Village served as a military post guarding the strategic Tongguan pass, a former mountain pass and fortress located south of the confluence of the Wei and Yellow Rivers. The swing tradition in the village has its origins in military training exercises like climbing and river crossing. The local swing culture further developed as regional trade flourished, eventually evolving into the "swing festival" that continues today.
"It's very exciting and tests your skill, endurance, and most importantly, your arm strength. You need to maintain balance," said Qu Xiangyang, a visitor.
In Rudong County, Nantong City, east China's Jiangsu Province, another traditional Qingming activity takes place - kite flying.
Flying kites as a way of making wishes is an age-old Qingming custom in this region. As a result, the Qingming Festival in Nantong is also known as the "Kite Festival."
The local Banyao whistling kite making skills is listed as one of the first national intangible cultural heritage items.
According to a folk culture expert, people traditionally write the names of diseases or misfortunes on paper, attach it to a kite, and release it into the sky. This practice is believed to drive away illness and disaster, while also serving as a way to make wishes.
In south China's Guangdong Province, a large tug-of-war competition is underway in Maoming City. Teams from different towns and streets are competing, attracting many locals to cheer on their teams.
Tug-of-war, which originated during the late Spring and Autumn period (770 BC - 476 BC), became part of Qingming customs during the Tang Dynasty (618-907). Emperor Xuanzong of the Tang Dynasty once organized large-scale tug-of-war competitions for the festival.
"Tug-of-war became very popular in the Tang Dynasty, even emerging as the national sport. It originated in the Jingchu region and later spread across the country. In ancient Lingnan (Southern China), tug-of-war games were a common tradition. Through these events, people seek to pray for peace, prosperity, and abundant harvests," said Yao Guojun, vice dean of the College of Arts and Law, Guangdong University of Petrochemical Technology.
Traditional folk activities held for Qingming Festival
