Quirky museums tell the capital's history

Buying antiques

Ma Weidu opened China's first private museum in 1996, filling it with antiques bought cheaply in the late 1970s and 80s from Beijing residents eager for cash to buy refrigerators, TVs and washing machines.

"I could buy 10 average pieces of art for 65 yuan ($10)," says Ma.

In those early days, his most valuable acquisition was a bowl made in an imperial kiln during the reign of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) Emperor Qianlong about 250 years ago, Ma says. Purchased for just 6 yuan at the time, it could be worth as much as 600,000 yuan if sold today, he says.

Ma's Guanfu Museum now has three branches across China with two more opening this year. Ma himself has become a TV personality, hosting programs teaching antique hunters how to discern between real treasures and fakes.

Ever keen to attract more visitors, Ma, a cat lover, recently named 20 felines as assistant curators.

"A lot of people who come to the museum ... are more interested in cats than culture," says Ma. "But some may come here because of the cats and in doing so learn something about antiques."

Associated Press researcher Yu Bing and news assistants Dong Tongjian and Liu Zheng contributed to this story.