Turn a Museum Visit into an Educational Expedition

There is much to be learned from visiting a museum. While you likely won’t discover that you have a priceless artifact in your personal collection, what you will discover is still invaluable. I’ve found that studying museum pieces helps me to rule more things out rather than helping me to identify and correctly date antiques. Seeing the forms, colors, and textures in “real-life” is undeniably more beneficial than books or even high definition photographs. It would be amazing if you could actually feel the weight and texture of the objects. But, then, if that were the case, the exhibitions likely wouldn’t last for long. (Just think of recent headlines, “Vandalism at the Louvre!”

Though, luckily, you won’t be able to satisfy your tactile desires, this fall the Smithsonian's National Museum of Asian Art in Washington, D.C. is offering an useful “real-life” opportunity for collectors and enthusiasts who want to deepen their understanding of Chinese art. The museum's Arts of China led tours explore artistic traditions represented throughout its Chinese collection. The tours encompass all categories including Chinese ceramics, ritual bronzes, calligraphy, and brush paintings in ink and color. In addition to giving patrons an opportunity to study objects within a museum context, but also providing an opportunity to ask questions and learn more about the cultural and artistic traditions from a docent of the museum.

Developing a good eye requires seeing good objects.

The National Museum of Asian Art's collection makes Washington one of the particularly useful places in the Mid-Atlantic for this kind of study.

Upcoming Tours

The museum is offering Arts of China tours repeatedly during fall 2026, including dates throughout October. Current listings include upcoming dates in September and throughout October. Most listed tours run from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Because museum schedules can change, visitors should confirm the specific date on the museum's calendar before traveling.

Event Details

Event: Tours | Arts of China
Venue: Smithsonian National Museum of Asian Art
Location: 1050 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, D.C.
Admission: Free
Registration: No tickets or advance registration required for the standard Arts of China tours; walk-up participation

Official event information: Smithsonian National Museum of Asian Art — Arts of China Tours

Delightful Discoveries Antiques follows noteworthy auctions, exhibitions and educational opportunities for collectors of Chinese and Asian antiques throughout the Mid-Atlantic. Delightful Discoveries Antiques is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Smithsonian Institution or the National Museum of Asian Art. Event information is provided for editorial and educational purposes.