China Printing Museum (中国印刷博物馆)

The China Printing Museum is a national first-class museum, the largest printing museum in the world, and the place with the most extensive collection of printing presses globally.

The museum has a total building area of approximately 8,000 square meters, with exhibition space covering about 6,000 square meters. It showcases the development of printing technology from various historical periods to modern technological equipment. Despite its specialized focus, visitors find the museum highly educational and enjoyable, making it an excellent place to bring children for a visit.

The first floor features the Ancient Chinese Printing Hall, covering the period from the Neolithic era to the Qing dynasty. It showcases the origins, development, transmission, and dissemination of ancient Chinese printing techniques, from the inscribed symbols of 8000 years ago to the rubbings and stamping techniques of the Wei, Jin, Southern, and Northern Dynasties. The exhibition includes a detailed history of papermaking technology, a reconstruction of Bi Sheng's invention of movable clay type in the Song dynasty, and Wang Zhen's revolving typecase from the Yuan dynasty.

"Chun-qiu Jingzhuan" is the museum's most treasured artifact. Printed using woodblock printing technology, it showcases the exquisite carving techniques of the Song Dynasty. It was a cherished item in the imperial palace during the Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties and bears the seal of Emperor Qianlong.

Another noteworthy exhibit is the "Proclamation to Pacify the People," which is the largest woodblock print from ancient times. Printed in one go from a single woodblock, it displays the sophisticated printing skills of ancient craftsmen, with no visible seams in the paper.

The museum's most impressive exhibit is located on the basement level, covering an area of 2200 square meters. The strong scent of machine oil fills the air, offering a truly immersive sensory experience.

The exhibit features a variety of prepress, printing, and post-processing equipment from 1865 to the early 1990s. 137 vintage printing machines are closely arranged, showcasing the evolution of printing technology.

On the second floor, the modern printing exhibition is divided into three sections: the introduction and development of modern printing technology, the rise and development of China's modern printing industry, and printing in contemporary life. These sections highlight the intersection, integration, and mutual influence of traditional Chinese printing methods and modern Western printing technologies in the 19th century.