As the 2026 Lunar New Year approaches, Beijing's National Museum of China has launched "Galloping Forward," a captivating exhibition celebrating the horse's enduring role in shaping Chinese history and culture. Opened this week, the showcase features over 200 artifacts spanning three millennia, from Shang Dynasty bronze sculptures to Qing Dynasty imperial paintings.
"The horse symbolizes vitality and progress in Chinese tradition – values that resonate deeply as we welcome the Year of the Horse," said exhibition curator Dr. Li Wei. Visitors can view rare Tang Dynasty saddle ornaments and interactive displays showing how equine domestication transformed trade along the Silk Road.
Timed with peak Lunar New Year travel, the exhibition has drawn particular interest from Asian diaspora communities seeking cultural connections. Museum officials report a 40% increase in advance bookings compared to last year's Spring Festival programming.
The exhibition runs through March 15, 2026, with augmented reality features allowing visitors to "ride" historical chariots and view digitized versions of fragile scroll artworks.
