National Museum of China
The National Museum of China, a four-storied main building with two symmetrical wings, runs more than 300 meters north and south along the eastern side of Tian’anmen Square.
The building was one of ten famous architectures built in 1959 to mark the 10th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic. It has a rectangular exterior and faces the Great Hall of the People. Twenty-four square pillars make up the magnificent west gate portico.
The museum is now under renovation, the renovation will be finished in 2009 year and the museum will be reopened in 2010 likely. The facade of the north, west and south will be preserved, while in the east or inside will be filled with new buildings which will be a little highter.
After the renovation, the new buildings will be 40 meters high, from north to south spans over 313 meters, west to east spans over 184 meter, the total space will be 190.000 square meters, which will be 3 times bigger than the old one, and the new one will be the biggest museum in the world.
A view from the south
Website: http://www.nationalmuseum.cn/en/home/index.jsp
