The long road to scholarly honor

After a visit to the Museum of the Imperial Examination System, you will never complain about today's exams again. Imagine spending nine days dining and sleeping in a small stone cubicle and answering endless exam questions. The Chinese imperial scholars who endured these conditions in hopes of beating out the competition for official posts would say that today's students have it easy.

According to Yao Yuanli, the owner of the museum, over the 1300-year reign of the Imperial Examination system, only around 700 hundred people have made it to the top, earning the title "Zhuangyuan" or "Number One Scholar."

Two substantial stone figurines, one of which was excavated from the tomb of Emperor Qianlong's fourth daughter, guard the museum's entrance, making it impossible to miss along the folk culture street in the capital's historical Gaobeidian village.

The 3000-square-meter museum showcases the history of China's Imperial Examination system through a diversified collection of stone and wood tablets, documents, and other relics.

Yao established the privately-funded museum four years ago out of personal interest. To educate visitors about the global influence of the Chinese Imperial Examinations, Yao has spent the last sixteen years researching and traveling across China to search for valuable items. His collection includes over 3000 pieces.

The most precious antique in his collection is a stone gate which dates back to Yuan Dynasty (1279-1368 A.D.) and acts as the centerpiece of the main exhibition hall. Such gates were usually placed at the entrance of schools to indicate the students' wish to pass the imperial exam and make their name known.

The history of the examination system from its advent in Sui Dynasty (580-618 A.D.) to its demise in the late Qing Dynasty (1644-1911 A.D.) is demonstrated through a display of wood carvings, photos and documents; the main exhibition hall also dedicates a special glass case to documents reflecting on the international influence of China's Imperial Examination System. Among them is a quote from an article titled "China: A New Departure" in the September 1888 issue of The Westminster Review: "The Imperial Examination System of Chinese polity deserves termless laudability."

The exhibition halls that surrounded the back courtyard explain the four phases scholars had to go through before being granted the chance to enter the imperial examination. The students had to pass various exams during the four stages, which were roughly equal to today's middle school level, high school level, preparatory period for college level and college level.

The imperial examination was held every three years. According to legend, one student tried 20 times to pass the exam, meaning he spent 60 years--his whole adult life-- preparing and taking the exams.

Scholars who pass top-level exams experience a significant change in status. Local officials would likely present a special banner for the scholar's family to hang at the entrance to their homes. The scholar's success would then be remembered for generations to come.

Yao, the museum owner, believes the old examination system still affects people's mentalities today, and is clearly manifested in society's high regard for the college entrance examinations.

Some of Yao's collection is quite detailed and intriguing. For instance, one exhibition hall displays writing brushes, ink pads, authentic exam papers and even children's school bags. The exam answer sheets, protected by a glass plate, show off the fine calligraphy skills expected of imperial officials.

Many visitors, including foreign tourists, leave their thoughts on Yao's collection in the museum's message book. A visitor named Susan wrote: "A wonderful museum! Full of interesting and historically valuable materials" after a tour of the museum in 2009. Another visitor named Eddy showed his gratitude for the museum owner saying "More people must come to see (this museum). Thank you for the excellent effort & result!"

Realizing the educational value of the museum, Yao said he is working with universities in Beijing to make the museum a regular studying base for students who major in history.

Logistics

Address: 1366 Folk Culture Street, Gaobeidian 高碑店民俗文化街1366号

Subway: Batong Line, Gaobeidia Station

Museum hours: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. (closed on Mondays)

Tickets: 40 yuan per/person, 25 yuan for students