Longhua Temple in Shanghai was founded during the Wu period of the Three Kingdoms (238-251 AD). Over more than 1,700 years of history, Longhua Temple has developed a unique Zen cuisine culture, which has been recognized as intangible cultural heritage by the Shanghai Municipal Government.

In its early days, Longhua Zen cuisine primarily consisted of vegetarian noodles and Buddhist tea, used by the temple monks to aid their meditation. During the Ming and Qing dynasties, with the rise of the Longhua Temple Fair, Longhua Zen cuisine became known to the public. Eating Longhua Zen cuisine during festivals has become a cherished folk tradition praised by many. To optimize food's nutrition, taste, and presentation, several generations of chefs have refined their techniques, adhering to traditional methods. They continually adjust the taste and recipes to suit modern preferences, with each bite infusedwith the masters' Zen spirit and warmth.

Under the Bodhi Tree: Art and Architecture of the Longhua Temple features sculptures and images illustrating Buddhism, its cultural practices and Buddhist art in modern society. Buddhism is one of the major religions in the world in addition to Hinduism, Christianity and Islam. Originated in the sixth century BCE, Buddhism disseminated from the Indian Subcontinent to other regions in Asia along the Silk Roads. Buddhist teaching and its manifestation in art and ritual practices have been a unifying force to bring all walks of life together around the globe. 

This year marks the 45th Anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the United States, and the 82nd Anniversary of Shangrao Rescue of the Doolittle Raid. For decades, the historical tales of the Doolittle Raid and its Shangrao rescue have passed down from generation to generation in both China and the United States, with lasting charms. Let's follow the camera, travel across time and space, and recall those touching stories of the heros during the tumultuous times, so as to remember the history, pass on the friendship, and create the future together.

It has been a century since this most beloved opera was composed. However, Puccini died before he completed this work and the ending, written by another composer, has always been criticized by opera afficionados as being unsatisfactory. Francesca Zambello commissioned composer Christopher Tin and librettist Susan Stanton to address this by composing a new and more satisfying ending.

WNO’s Turandot will be performed at the Kennedy Center from May 11th to May 25th, 2024.

This exhibit features sketches of the stage design and costumes for this WNO production of Turandot will be on exhibit at the Chinese American Museum through the end of May 2024.

2023 Student Art Competition Exhibition - My Dream

This exhibition showcases 30 selected winning pieces from our 2023 Student Art Competition - “My Dream.” With over 200 entries this year from the U.S. and China, we feel honored that some of these students have participated in our competition for four years in a row. 

This year's theme, “My Dream,” is an open-ended topic that emphasizes on divergent thinking. The genres and styles of the artwork received were truly inspiring, covering a wide and diversified range of topics with far-reaching messages. This is the fourth annual student art collaboration between CAMDC and CCACC Art Gallery, intending to encourage creativity, artistic expression, and cultural exchange between students in the U.S. and China.

Thank You, Corky Lee: The Unofficial Photographer Laureate of Asian Americans

Many people knew the late activist-photographer, Corky Lee, as someone who took candid photographs of Asian communities. Look deeper to see that he created an authentic space for Asian Americans to be seen and heard. This exhibit is a very personal retrospective of his most impactful photographs with quotes from people that knew him and his prolific body of work. This exhibit is made possible through the support of Panda Express and our museum community.

Rhythm of Nature: Kit-Keung Kan’s Ink Painting, Calligraphy, and Installation Art

Kit-Keung Kan studied traditional Chinese painting and calligraphy at an early age. He first exhibited his work in Hong Kong and in Washington DC in 1964 and 1984, respectively. Since then, he has held more than forty solo exhibitions and participated in more than a hundred two-person and group exhibitions in the US, China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and many other countries. His painting evolved from the use of traditional techniques to study rural landscapes of Hong Kong to abstraction through simplification.

Bruce Lee: American Son and International Icon

July 20, 2023

A new exhibit commemorates the cultural superstar on the 50th anniversary of his passing revealing both his Hollywood qualities and his sensitivities as an artist, philosopher and family man. On display are rarely seen images, personal documents, and objects from Bruce Lee and those who were influenced by his work. This exhibit is made possible through the support of The Bruce Lee Foundation, Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, Washington, DC; Shu-Ping Chan and Jana Mason, and museum supporters like you!

The Chinese American Museum DC is pleased to partner with the AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center on this exhibition. AFI Silver will show a retrospective of Bruce Lee movies from August 21st to September 18th. Showtimes are listed on the AFI Silver website at: https://bit.ly/AFIBruceLee2023

Fashioning Identity in Qipao: The Image of Modern Women

June 17, 2023

Qipao 旗袍 was the quintessential dress for Chinese women in the Republic Era (1912-1949). Its origin and history are closely intertwined with women’s quest for equality and independence during China’s rapid modernization and urbanization in the early 20th century. The earliest qipao stylistically resembled both the men’s long robe known as “cheongsam” in Cantonese and the loose and angular dress worn by Manchu women in the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). 

The National Board of Directors of the Sumi-e Society of America, Inc, the Chinese American Museum DC and the National Capital Area Chapter are proud to present the 60th Annual Juried Exhibition at the Chinese American Museum in Washington DC. This exhibition showcases some of the best current East Asian brush paintings and calligraphy.

Bertrand Mao was born in 1932 in Jiangsu Province, China. He served as a government official in the line of education and cultural affairs. He has practiced as a lifetime hobby in Chinese calligraphy and traditional landscape painting. After retiring from government service, he started teaching Chinese calligraphy and landscape painting in the Greater Washington, DC area. He was a faculty member at the University of Maryland University College, American University, and Montgomery College. He now is a resident artist at the Metropolitan Center for Visual Arts (VisArts) in Rockville, MD.

Lin-Lin Mao Mollitor is Bertrand Mao’s eldest child. Born in Taipei, Taiwan, Lin-Lin and her family moved to the United States in 1965 when she was a young child. She has always enjoyed making arts and crafts. Lin-Lin grew up in Montgomery County, Maryland. She is an emerging artist, and several of her installations have been selected by a jury for temporary public art exhibitions in Seattle. Lin-Lin was recently selected to create a public art piece on a 400-feet long by 6-feet tall chain link fence in the East Ballard neighborhood of Seattle. This piece, which will be installed in the summer of 2023 and exhibited for six months, is commissioned by the Seattle Office of Arts and Culture in partnership with Seattle Public Utilities to enliven construction fences during the Ship Canal Water Quality Project.