During the 2008 Olympic Games held in Beijing in August, the Beijing Capital Museum held an exhibition showing China’s relics representing 5,000 years of the nation’s rich culture. The 189 pieces were collected from 55 museums in 26 cities and provinces, with many of the treasures being on their first tour to Beijing. (Photos here only include some of the artifacts displayed)

The exhibition showcases precious arts and crafts featuring Beijing's cultural characteristics and the Chinese historical and cultural essence.

The exhibition was divided into two parts--Han nationality figures of Buddha and Lama-type figures of Buddha. The 264 figures of Buddha have an overall display of the history of religious art in this regard, as well as its evolution, which is aimed at showing visitors the Chinese artistic representations of Buddhism. (Photos here only include part of the exhibition)

To commemorate and celebrate the 29th Beijing Olympic Games held in August, the ‘Agon: The Spirit of Competition in Ancient Greece’ exhibition was held at the Capital Museum in Beijing from August 4 to October 14, 2008. Agon in Greek means “fair play.”

As part of the Year of Greek Culture in China, which began in September 2007, the exhibition, divided into four parts, is designed to introduce the history of competitiveness in Greece.

The concept of noble competition and the mythical contests between heroes and deities were displayed in the first part.

The second part showed the main venues of well known Olympic Games and local sports contests.

The third part focused on intellectual competition, introducing contests of poems, music, dramas and arts.

The trophies of competitive games were given in the last part.

In addition, the exhibition presented some statues tracing back to the Roman Period around the first and second century, along with vases, metal arts and crafts, small-sized works of art and many ancient coins.

The whole exhibition showcased valuable treasures collected from various Greek museums. The national Archaeological Museum contributed 112 relics, and the other 49 relics came from other museums. (Photos here are only part of the exhibition)