"They reflect the merits of dogs like loyalty and responsibility as well as their harmony with human life," says Tian Xinyou, curator of the exhibition.

"The exhibition is also designed to nurture people's consciousness to better protect animals."

Tongzhou, a district in eastern Beijing, will be the focus of a special exhibition from April to July.

The district was a significant hub of the Grand Canal, an ancient artery waterway linking Beijing and Hangzhou in Zhejiang province.

A major archaeological investigation in 2016 unveiled the ruins of an ancient city from the Han Dynasty in the district, and the latest findings will be presented at the exhibition.

The Capital Museum also attaches importance to bringing more exhibitions from overseas.

So, 102 Italian art pieces, costumes and daily items from the Renaissance will be brought to the museum in late March for a three-month display.

The exhibits were chosen from collections of 14 museums in Italy, and Han says most of them have never left that country before.

Another display to show 18th century urban life in Edo (today's Tokyo) is scheduled to open in August, showing collections borrowed from Edo-Tokyo Museum in Japan.

Some contemporaneous cultural relics from the Capital Museum's own collection will also be on display alongside Japanese exhibits at the same show.

If you go

9 am-5 pm daily, Mondays closed. Entry ticket is free of charge but online reservation is needed. Capital Museum, 16 Fuxingmenwai Avenue, Xicheng district, Beijing. 010-6339-3339.