What's on

Ethnic art

Some 80 paintings on ethnic groups are on show at the National Art Museum of China until May 17. They present the history, culture and folk traditions of the Chinese nation, composed of various ethnic groups, and hail the efforts that have been put into the preservation of ethnic cultures and arts. It is a celebration of ethnic harmony which has held different groups together "like the tight seeds of a pomegranate".

9 am-5 pm, closed on Mondays.1 Wusi Dajie, Dongcheng district, Beijing. 010-6400-1476.

Time with music

Guqin, the 3,000-year-old zither, is closely linked with intellectual history. It was considered one of the four forms of arts being practiced by scholars and noblemen for self-cultivation. The making and performance of guqin embody a humanistic spirit and aesthetic traditions of the Chinese nation. Musical Notes Resonating Since Time Immemorial, an exhibition at the China National Arts and Crafts Museum and China Intangible Cultural Heritage Museum, celebrates the cultural depth of guqin, which today is still performed and entertains many people. It gives a full-fledged introduction of the musical instrument to include its design, manufacturing, handbooks, repertoire and masters. It will run until May 30.

9 am-5 pm, closed on Mondays. 16 Hujing Dong Lu, Chaoyang district, Beijing.

Literati vision

Classical Chinese gardens vividly demonstrate an architectural system designed by ancient intellectuals to realize their ideas of a spiritual haven with the aid of excellent handicrafts. Now at the Nanchizi Museum, a garden and art space built in the classical style, an exhibition is being held to resonate with the long-standing philosophy of Chinese gardens, discussing the scholarly lifestyle in a modern context and the spirit of craftsmanship. Curated by Cui Cancan, the exhibition, Literati and Artisan, brings together paintings, sculptures, installations and a video work by three leading figures of Chinese contemporary art: Zhan Wang, Yang Fudong and Zhao Zhao. The works reflect on the relations between people and universal rules, and open up a dialogue on the interaction between modern people and new technologies. The exhibition runs until July 9.

10 am-5 pm, closed on Mondays. 21 Pudusi West Lane, Dongcheng district, Beijing.

Contemporary artists

Song Art Museum's new exhibition, Rhythm and Refrain, traces the evolution and diversity of Chinese contemporary art throughout four decades. It displays paintings, sculptures, installations, images and videos by more than 40 celebrated artists. Through the perspectives of featured artists, visitors are able to examine the ever-changing styles of art and feel the pulse of social transformations. The exhibition, curated by art critic Wang Min'an, is the first show since Ding Zehua, a collector in his early 20s, took the directorship of Song Art Museum recently. The institution near Beijing Capital International Airport was transformed from a horse ranch and is known for its cluster of white-wall architecture decorated with dozens of pine trees. The exhibition runs until July 24.

10 am-6 pm, closed on Mondays. Tianzhu town, Shunyi district, Beijing.

American sculptor

Bruce Nauman: OK OK OK, an exhibition now on at the M Woods, Beijing, takes visitors on a journey through the American artist's universe formed since the 1960s. It is an investigation into his groundbreaking method of reshaping established forms while creating new ones in the process. "I have never been able to stick to one thing," Nauman says. The works on show, such as his most renowned poetic sculptures and neon pieces, bring people immersive experiences, and show them the possibilities of what art can be. The exhibition, through June 12, is a collaboration among M Woods, Tate Modern and Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam.

11 am-7 pm, closed on Mondays. Building 3, 38 Qianliang Hutong, 95 Longfusi Street, Dongcheng district, Beijing.