The former Capital Museum, which was located in the Confucius Temple, started its planning stage in 1953 and formally opened to the general public in 1981. As a major cultural construction project in Beijing in the "10th Five-Year Plan", the new Capital Museum, approved by Beijing Municipal Government in 1999, further approved by the State Council after being submitted by the National Development and Reform Commission in 2001, finally commenced its construction in December 2001. Under the concern and guidance of Beijing Municipal Government, the museum finally makes its debut along the western extension of Chang'an Street, the very first street of China after four years of hard work. With its magnificent architecture, abundant exhibitions, advanced technology and complete functions, the large and modern Capital Museum, makes its contribution to the titles such as "famous historical and cultural city", "cultural center" and the "international metropolis" of Beijing and ranks among the first class museums both in China and internationally.