A history of endeavor

Archery and equine sports are most commonly portrayed themes in old exhibits. Bronze crossbows and arrows from the Warring States Period (475-221 BC), for example, usher visitors to review soldiers' bravery on battlefields and their intense physical training. Even outside war, archery was a popular entertainment for the public, particularly among the nomadic ethnic groups in northern China. Surviving documents show that the earliest known archery competition in China was held during the reign of Emperor Xiaowen in the Northern Wei Dynasty (386-534) in late 5th century AD. Although social stability was restored by the Northern Wei emperor, who oversaw a period of prosperity, it was also a way to enhance security.

Scroll paintings of hunting scenes from the imperial court of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), on display, show not only royal aura but also how horse-riding was favored by aristocrats then. Such riding and hunting scenes are also seen in other exhibits like decorations on a Han Dynasty (206 BC-AD 220) pottery jar.

In ancient China, sport was not only about physical competition, but also mental. Seeing the displayed Qing Dynasty set of Go, a traditional Chinese board game with wide influence in East Asia, people can imagine how two players instructed a "battle" against each other on the square grid, showing their mental power.

The exhibition brings some surprises. For example, if not for the decorative patterns on a Jin Dynasty (1115-1234) bronze mirror, visitors today would hardly realize that diving had existed in China around 900 years ago. The sport, called "water swing" then, was a mixture of competition and acrobatics.