China is the home to 56 ethnic groups. Various ethnic groups present different kinds of living styles and customs, all contributing to China's vibrant culture. Surrounded by the North 3rd Ring Road, Jingchang Highway, North 4th Ring Road and Beichen Road in Beijing, Chinese Ethnic Culture Park, also known as China Nationalities Museum, has a large ethnic culture base combining an introduction to culture, singing and dancing performances, traditional housing and art and craft while providing the opportunity to experience ethnic flavored cooking of 56 ethnic groups.
The park has already completed displays for over 40 ethnic groups. A large number of ethnic culture relics and articles from daily use are exhibited in order to reflect authentic living conditions of each ethnic group. For example, the building of Han People, the largest ethnic group at home and abroad, is a cave-house composed of three courtyards. It is a typical Han cave found within Mizhi County of Shaanxi Province in Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). Zang Museum exhibits typical houses of the Khamba area, a display of Sutra Chanting Hall of the Jokhang Temple, daily-use articles of Zang People and many beautiful Tibetan pictures. You can also watch Tibetan-style singing and dancing performances drink buttered tea and sew Pulu (a handmade woolen product used for making clothes and carpet and often present at ceremonies).
There are many attractive scenic spots in the park. The big banyan tree symbolizes the 56 ethnic groups banding together. The Ethnic Bridge which connects the north and south park adopts the architectural styles of Bai, Dong and Zang People. The Tenggeli Waterfall which falls from 161-feet high is the biggest man-made waterfall in China. Many typical ethnic architectural styles are available for viewing. Examples include the Tujia People's stilt-house, Mosuo People's wooden house, Hui People's cave house and Li People's ship-shaped house. Hundreds of young men from a range of ethnic groups gather together and proudly be the guide to introduce their own culture. The park also holds ethnic groups' festivals and invites visitors to join in. The Water-Splashing Festival of the Dai People, the Mongolian's Nadam Fair, the Lisu People's Knife-Pole Festival, Miao People's Sister Festival and Yugur's Harvest Festival win much applause from visitors.
A brook murmurs through little bridges, flowers bloom in the sun, birds sing on the trees while rice and wheat send out fresh fragrance. Strolling in the park you can feel the strong flavor of the Chinese ethnic groups. It is really a good place to refresh your mind and relax.
Tips: Performance Table
| Place | Performance | Time |
| Rongshu Square | National Flag Running Up Ceremony Rhythmic Gymnastics Performance | 08:40-08:50 |
| Manfeilong Square of Dai People | Ethnic Groups Performance Party | 10:30-11:00 |
| Zang Museum | Zang People's Singing and Dancing Performance | 09:10-09:30, 12:40-13:00, 16:50-17:10 |
| Tibetan Tug-of-War | 10:00-10:10, 14:40-14:50 | |
| Dai Museum | Dai People's Singing and Dancing Performance | 09:40-10:00, 13:10-13:30, 16:50-17:10 |
| Beating Flower Sticks | 11:00-11:10, 14:10-14:20 | |
| Jingpo Museum | Jingpo People's Singing and Dancing Performance | 09:20-09:40, 13:40-14:00, 16:40-17:00 |
| Jumping Bamboo Sticks | 12:40-12:50, 14:40-14:50 | |
| Wa Museum | Wa People's Singing and Dancing Performance | 09:50-10:10, 14:10-14:30, 16:30-16:50 |
| Spinning Peg-Top | 11:30-11:40, 16:00-16:10 | |
| Miao Museum | Stunt Performance – Climbing Knife-Pole | 10:00-10:10, 15:30-15:40 |
| Kicking Shuttlecock | 11:20-11:30, 14:30-14:40 | |
| South Park | ||
| Ethnic Restaurant (Santa Square) | Ethnic Singing and Dancing Performance | 11:10-11:40 |
| Sifang Street of Naxi People | National Sports Competition and Group Dance | 15:00-15:30 |
| Bai Museum | Bai People's Singing and Dancing Performance | 10:00-10:20, 14:30-14:50, 16:50-17:10 |
| Rolling Hoops | 13:00-13:10, 15:50-16:00 | |
| Tujia Museum | Tujia People's Singing and Dancing Performance | 09:00-09:20, 16:50-17:10 |
| Walking on Stilts | 10:20-10:30, 14:40-14:50 | |
| Naxi Museum | Naxi People's Singing and Dancing Performance | 09:40-10:00, 13:40-14:00, 16:30-16:50 |
| Dongba Hieroglyphic Writing and Painting | 10:40-10:50, 14:40-14:50 | |
| Mongolian Museum | Mongolian People's Singing and Dancing Performance | 10:40-11:00, 14:10-14:30, 16:20-16:40 |
Exhibition Opening Hours: 09:00-11:30, 12:30-17:00
Tour Guide and Ethnic Dress Rent: 09:00-17:00
Water-Splashing Tip: Please respect Dai People's Custom by waiting for Dai People to splash the first bowl of water before you splash or touch the water. Please buy the water basin in the shops and splash water in the specified place.
| Admission Fee: | CNY 90 |
| Opening Hours: | 08:30–18:30 |
| Subway: | Subway Line 8: get off at Olympic Sports Center Station and get out of the station from Exit D (southwest exit); or get off at Beitucheng Station and get out of the station from Exit B (northeast exit). |
| Bus Route: | Take bus no.407 or 839 and get off at Chinese Ethnic Culture Park. |
Travelers' Voices on Chinese Ethnic Culture Park
1.
Mar. 4,2009 03:38 Reply
Mr.Water(USA) said:
The water splashing sounds interesting, is it held everyday?