Donated ancient relics reflect China's cultural legacy at the Palace Museum

Among the 1.95 million cultural relics preserved in Beijing’s Palace Museum—also known as the Forbidden City—nearly 35,000 artifacts hold a particularly special meaning. These items, donated by around 800 individuals since the victory in the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1931–45), stand as powerful symbols of cultural devotion and national memory.

Though the number of donated pieces may seem modest compared with the museum’s vast imperial collection—most of which dates back to the Qing Dynasty (1644–1911)—experts say the contributions are invaluable.

Each donated relic represents a personal act of preservation that has helped safeguard the nation’s historical and artistic heritage.

A group of Tang Dynasty tri-colored (sancai) ceramic statues donated by Zheng Zhenduo in the 1950s are displayed at the exhibition. [Photo by JIANG DONG/CHINA DAILY]

This year marks the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Palace Museum, one of China’s most revered cultural institutions. To commemorate the milestone, the museum recently opened a yearlong exhibition titled Benevolence in Motion: Donated Artifacts in the Palace Museum, held at the Palace of Great Benevolence (Jingren Gong).

The exhibition showcases about 100 artifacts, each representing a donor’s story and a moment in time. These pieces—ranging from paintings and calligraphy to ceramics and textiles—highlight how individual generosity has played a vital role in the preservation of Chinese civilization over the past century.

Through these donations, the exhibition underscores a larger narrative: that cultural heritage thrives not only through royal collections and state efforts, but also through the dedication of ordinary citizens committed to protecting the legacy of their nation.