Country's museums put on a display that has global experts cheering

Shanghai Museum says it has had the highest attendance for any museum exhibition in the world this year, announcing that On Top of the Pyramid: The Civilization of Ancient Egypt, which ran for 13 months until August, attracted more than 2.77 million visitors and brought 760 million yuan ($106.75 million) into the institution.

- By WANG RU

Visitors at the exhibition On Top of the Pyramid: The Civilization of Ancient Egypt at Shanghai Museum in August.

(PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY)

The 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25) urged a more robust museum system in China, and significant achievements in archaeological studies have given the country's museums fresh vitality, helping them present dazzling new exhibitions to the public.

China had 7,046 registered museums at the end of last year and held about 43,000 exhibitions during the year, attracting nearly 1.5 billion visitors, the National Cultural Heritage Administration says.

"During the 14th Five-Year Plan period, the public's demand for museums has become increasingly evident," said Pan Shouyong, a museology professor at Shanghai University. "Visiting museums to explore new exhibitions and 'check in' has become a common phenomenon."

Behind the surge in the number of museums, exhibitions and visits is strong support from both the government and broader society, he said.