Palace Museum Northern Branch, Beijing

Currently under construction, the Northern Branch of the Palace Museum is a modern museum designed to expand Beijing Palace Museum’s (aka the Forbidden City) capabilities. It will integrate functions such as cultural relic exhibition, preservation, restoration, and visitor services.
 
The branch is divided into three principal components, each with a distinct purpose:
 
The Northern Branch houses 12 exhibition halls, covering one-third of its total area, with capacity to display 20,000–30,000 artifacts annually, doubling or tripling the current exhibition volume. Enhanced by digital technology, these spaces offer improved climate control to protect delicate items like paintings and textiles, enabling long-term displays. An 8.5-meter-high (28 feet) hall accommodates large artifacts, such as furniture and oversized scrolls, which are difficult to exhibit in the main palace.
 
Dedicated restoration areas, half the size of the exhibition space, are equipped with advanced tools to boost the restoration efficiency by 40%, allowing over 1,000 artifacts to be restored yearly. Some workshops will be open to visitors, offering glimpses into the meticulous craft of artifact conservation.
 
A quarter of the Northern Branch is allocated to state-of-the-art storage, featuring waterproofing, humidity control, fire prevention, mold resistance, and earthquake protection. Utilizing AI technology for intelligent temperature and humidity control, it ensures the longevity of over a million artifacts.
 
Located in Beijing's northwestern suburb, the Northern Branch spans five floors, with four above ground and one underground, whose construction area exceeds 100,000 square meters (24.7 acres). According to released 3D models, the complex is situated on a peninsula surrounded by water on three sides, backed by hills to the north, reminiscent of the Forbidden City's moat and Jingshan Mountain backdrop.

The architectural design echoes the Palace Museum, featuring red walls, golden roofs, and a white stone base. Its roofline incorporates design elements from the Hall of Supreme Harmony's double eaves, the Hall of Central Harmony's round finial, and the Hall of Preserving Harmony's curved ridge. 

Unlike the strictly north-south axial symmetry of the Forbidden City, the Northern Branch adopts an elongated east-west symmetrical layout due to the terrain, leading some to humorously compare its appearance to a rail station from a distance.
  
The Northern Branch of the Palace Museum began construction at the end of 2022, and the main structure is now finished. Interior work is underway, and the facility is expected to open in the second half of 2026. Please stay tuned for the exact opening date.
 
Upon completion, many artifacts will be relocated from the ancient buildings of the Palace Museum. Visitors will find the Palace Museum more focused on its historic buildings and restored imperial scenes inside the structures. In contrast, the Northern Branch will function as an artifact museum with a distinct Palace Museum aesthetic. Surrounded by water and greenery, the new site also offers landscaped gardens and waterfront views, enriching the visitor experience with natural beauty.
 
Currently, there is no convenient public transportation to the Northern Branch, with at least 20-minute walk or 10-minute car ride from the nearest bus stop. However, it is anticipated that dedicated bus and subway lines will be established upon completion to facilitate access. Additionally, with the Great Wall and the Ming Tombs to the north, and the Summer Palace and Old Summer Palace to the south, special tourist bus routes are expected to enhance the visiting experience of these renowned attractions.