Ancient Chinese Cuisine Takes Center Stage in Beijing

Peking roast duck that looks almost good enough to eat, Kung Pao chicken with a glossy sheen, and Sichuan hotpot replicas so lifelike you can almost smell the chili oil —these eye-catching displays are drawing crowds at Beijing’s National Museum of China. The new exhibition, Ancient Chinese Food Culture, serves up a delicious deep-dive into 5,000+ years of culinary traditions, proving that food truly is a universal language.

Visitors are treated to a feast for the eyes as they explore meticulously crafted replicas of legendary dishes and cooking tools. From royal banquet spreads to street-food innovations, the exhibit highlights how China’s food culture evolved alongside its dynasties—and how these flavors now ignite taste buds globally.

For foodie travelers, history buffs, or anyone who’s ever binge-watched a cooking show, this exhibit serves as a vibrant reminder: every bite tells a story. With global interest in Asian cuisine hotter than a Sichuan pepper, it’s the perfect time to explore how ancient recipes still shape today’s food trends.

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Exhibition on ancient Chinese food culture underway in Beijing

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