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China Century Monument

Situated between the China People's Revolution Military Museum and China Central Television Station, China Century Monument was built to welcome the 21st century's coming. Facing south, it encompasses an area of about 4.5 hectares (11 acres). This structure consists of the main building, the World Art Museum, the Holy Fire Square and the Bronze Thoroughfare.

The main building of the China Century Monument is composed of the revolving gradient altar platform and the static cloisters. At the center of the gradient altar platform is a small horizontal round platform about 14 meters (46 feet) in diameter, where various kinds of performances can be held. On the exterior wall of the altar platform are carved 56 relief patterns representing 56 peoples in China. Inside the static cloisters are housed 40 bronze statues of Chinese celebrities.

The World Art Museum is located in the main building of the China Century Monument. Covering an area of about 20,000 square meters (5 acres), the museum is comprised of the Permanent Exhibition Hall, the Special Exhibition Hall and the Digital Art Gallery. There one can have a clear understanding of the history of world art by appreciating precious artworks from other countries. In addition, tourists can appreciate the immense relief mural in the Great Century Hall. With a height of about five meters (16 feet) and 120 meters (394 feet) in perimeter, this natural colorful mural clearly illustrates 5,000 years' history of China.

Holy Fire Square lies near the south entrance of the China Century Monument. At the center of the square is the Holy Fire Platform. To the east and west of the square, two springs flow down the stairs, which represent the Yangtze River and the Yellow River. The Holy Fire Square is paved with 960 pieces of granite symbolizing China's 9,600,000 square kilometers' (3,706,581 square miles) territory. At the south entrance stands a white marble tablet engraved with five Chinese characters 'Zhong', 'Hua', 'Shi', 'Ji' and 'Tan' which were written by Jiang Zemin, the former president of People's Republic of China.

Stretching from the Holy Fire Square, the Bronze Thoroughfare is a 270-meter (886 feet) long road built of bronze. The thoroughfare is inscribed with about 180,000 words recording the important historical events of China and a chronology of Human history.

  Travel Tips for the World Art Museum
Since July 1, 2010, the World Art Museum of China Century Monument is free to the public. To ensure a safe and comfort tour, the art museum issues limited free tickets per day. Those who want a tour should make reservation in advance and enter with tickets in hand.
 How to reserve:
1. Telephone Reservation
Individual Reservation Tel: 59802290\2291\2292\2293\2294
Group Reservation Tel: 59802199
Inquiring Tel: 59802222
Service Time: 09:00 to 16:00
2. On-the-spot Reservation
Location: at the Information Desk of the World Art Museum of China Century Monument
Service Time: 09:00 to 17:00
Visitors should remember the booking no. and other relative info after the reservation, as they must use the no. or legal certificate used for reservation to get the free entrance ticket.
 What to Notice:
1. Visitors should reserve at least one day earlier before the tour but can book tickets for the next 7 days.
2. Individual tourist booking via telephone should provide their name, valid certificate no. and the no. of tickets they want which is limited to 5 once for one day.
3. Group tourists booking via telephone should provide the related information such as the contact method, the no. of tourists and ect. The tickets reserved should be less than 100 once per day.
 Where to get the free admission ticket
Time: 09:00 to 16:00 (Monday to Sunday)
Location: at the Information Desk of the Southeast Gate.

Admission Fee: CNY 30 ( refer to the travel tips above to get to know the admission details for the World Art Museum)
Opening Hours: Apr. 15th to Oct. 7th 09:00-18:00 (Monday to Thursday)
09:00-21:00 (Friday to Sunday)
Oct. 8th to the next Apr. 14th 09:30-17:30
Bus Route: Take Bus No. 1, 4, 21, 68, 320, 337, 728 or 802 to Jun Shi Bo Wu Guan (Military Museum) Stop;
Or take Bus No. 32, 65, 414 or 617 to Yu Yuan Tan Nan Men (Yuyuantan South Gate) Stop.
Subway: Subway Line 1: get off at Military Museum Station, get out of the station from Exit A (northwest exit), and walk north. It is located between the Military Museum and old CCTV Tower
 Beijing Bus / Subway Search

 Suggested Tour including the visit to China Century Monument:
Beijing Bike Tour: Military Museum - China Millennium Monument - Yuyuantan Park - Botanical Garden - Fragrant Hills Park
More Beijing City Tours