Wonders of time travel spur jaunts of discovery
China's younger generations seek better exhibition experiences through rare works, digitalization and interaction, Xu Lin and Wu Yong report.
Visitor preparations
More tourists mean that museums need to take measures to ensure a smooth experience for everyone. The Liaoning Provincial Museum trained its staff by conducting emergency drills the day before Rui He Tu was displayed. Visitors were allowed to line up until the museum's 5 pm closing time and the staff worked overtime to ensure those in line could view the painting.
"When there is visitor overflow, it's crucial to manage the long line, prevent people cutting in, keep those in line satisfied and treat everyone fairly. Also, our staff members clean the glass in the exhibition hall more frequently for a clear view of the artifacts," says Dong Baohou, the museum's deputy director.
"We kindly remind the audience not to linger too long. Everyone wants to stay a bit longer, but more visitors are waiting."
During the recent winter and summer vacations, a lot of large luggage was stored at the museum. Since last summer, there hasn't been enough storage space. They expanded the area by renovating a vacant room and setting up temporary storage with shelves for better organization.
"It's a direct indicator that more out-of-town tourists are visiting the museum," Dong says.
"Curating an exhibition is like directing a film. The cultural relics serve as actors selected based on the narrative you wish to convey," he says. Sometimes, they borrow artifacts from other museums to complement their collection.
He says museums should also focus on educational tours, academic lectures and cultural creative products relevant to an exhibition, catering to the diverse preferences of visitors.
"It's vital for museums to create a comfortable environment for visitors, such as clear signage. Museums must display artifacts in a way that ensures easy understanding for all visitors, supported by informative tour guidance, digital technology and interactive experiences," he says.
"We respond quickly to online comments from visitors and offline feedback in the guest book, working to implement suggestions that are sensible and achievable. Such reactions can leave a favorable impression of the museum, which is a calling card for Liaoning province."
