Xing Tonghe, described as a local architect, designed the building, and construction started in August 1993. It was inaugurated on October 12, 1996. The form recalls a ding, an ancient bronze cooking vessel, and the article says the design was inspired by the Da Ke ding displayed inside. A round top on a square base reflects the idea of a round sky and square earth.
The building is 97 feet (29.5 m) high, with five floors and 422,000 square feet (39,200 m²) of floor area. The article says it has eleven galleries plus three temporary exhibition halls, but its list of permanent galleries names only ten.
The museum opened in 1952 in the former racecourse clubhouse and moved in 1959 to the Zhonghui Building. Director Ma Chengyuan raised about 25 million dollars by leasing the old building to a Hong Kong developer, plus about 10 million from overseas donors and 140 million yuan from the city.
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