Calligraphic award

Lanting Xu (literally "preface to poems composed at the orchid pavilion"), written by calligrapher Wang Xizhi in the semi-cursive xingshu script, in the mid-4th century, is considered one of the greatest pieces of Chinese calligraphy. It thereafter inspired the China Calligraphers Association to launch the China Calligraphy Lanting Awards, the country's top awards for the creation of and theoretical studies in calligraphy. An exhibition now at the National Art Museum of China shows such handwritten pieces by 19 artists who have received Lanting's lifetime achievement awards, such as Qi Gong, Shen Peng and Ouyang Zhongshi, hailing their industrious work to revive the cultural tradition and intellectual accumulations built over decades. The exhibition runs until April 27.

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