China’s National Museum is a massive 3 story building filled with all sorts of interesting exhibits.  I’ve been there once before with my foreign policy class to look at one of their largest exhibits about China’s history from the last dynasty until the present.

However, it’s pretty cold outside so I decided to spend the day in a warm museum and check out the other smaller exhibits they had.  I saw a whole room filled with traditional Chinese fans as well as one with beautiful porcelain pieces.

(That’s an itty bitty tea cup!)

I also walked through what I refer to as the Mao Room.  It was a bunch of massive paintings depicting Chairmen Mao’s life and accomplishments.  It was interesting to walk around the room being the only foreigner there.  I definitely felt a little out of place.

As I walked from room to room I stumbled upon one exhibit on the third floor in the far back hand corner.  It was a room filled with presents that China has received from other countries: president to president, diplomat to president or president to diplomat.

It was very fascinating to see what presents each country chose to give to China. Some were cultural while others weren’t.  I spent an hour just looking at every present to see which country gave what.  It was by far my favorite exhibit in the whole museum.

(Someone thought to give a walrus…because who wouldn’t want a walrus!)

One of the Scandinavian countries gave this awesome model ship.

The U.S gave a silver cup!

I don’t know if other countries do this but I think this was a great exhibit and all countries should have a museum where they can share these presents with the public.