The history of the examination system from its advent in Sui Dynasty (580-618 A.D.) to its demise in the late Qing Dynasty (1644-1911 A.D.) is demonstrated through a display of wood carvings, photos and documents; the main exhibition hall also dedicates a special glass case to documents reflecting on the international influence of China's Imperial Examination System. Among them is a quote from an article titled "China: A New Departure" in the September 1888 issue of The Westminster Review: "The Imperial Examination System of Chinese polity deserves termless laudability."

The entrance gate of the museum is a stone structure from the Ming Dynasty (1368–1644). Intricate carvings on the gate depict the celebration ceremony for those who have made the top place in the imperial examination and became a Zhuangyuan. According to Yao Yuanli, the owner of the museum, over the 1300-year reign of the Imperial Examination system, only around 700 hundred people have made it to the top, earning the title "Zhuangyuan" or "Number One Scholar."

Two substantial stone figurines, one of which was excavated from the tomb of Emperor Qianlong's fourth daughter, guard the museum's entrance, making it impossible to miss along the folk culture street in the capital's historical Gaobeidian village.The centerpiece of the main exhibition hall is a stone gate depicting the ultimate pursuit of being a top scholar. The 3000-square-meter museum showcases the history of China's Imperial Examination system through a diversified collection of stone and wood tablets, documents, and other relics.

Yao established the privately-funded museum four years ago out of personal interest. To educate visitors about the global influence of the Chinese Imperial Examinations, Yao has spent the last sixteen years researching and traveling across China to search for valuable items. His collection includes over 3000 pieces.

Realizing the educational value of the museum, Yao said he is working with universities in Beijing to make the museum a regular studying base for students who major in history.

Logistics Address: 1366 Folk Culture Street, Gaobeidian(高碑店民俗文化街1366号)

Subway: Batong Line, Gaobeidia Station

Museum hours: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. (closed on Mondays)

Tickets: 40 yuan per/person, 25 yuan for students