On September 20, 2025, a curatorial activity themed “Galloping into the Spring: Global Joint Exhibition of Zodiac Culture for 2026 Year of the Horse”, co-sponsored by China Cultural Heritage Press and Hohhot Municipal Bureau of Culture, Tourism, Radio and Television, and undertaken by Hohhot Museum, was held in Hohhot. The event gathered heads of the sponsors and China Cultural Relics Academy, along with more than 120 participants, including representatives from over 60 cultural institutions and museums, cultural heritage administrations and relevant enterprises, as well as experts and scholars dedicated to museum and folk culture studies.

A scene of the meeting

A list of 42 innovative projects for the “Auspicious Snake Bringing Blessings – Joint Exhibition of Zodiac Culture for 2025 Year of the Snake” was announced at the site. These projects came under four categories, namely exhibition design & installation, social education, public service, and publicity. For its unique exhibition design concept and innovative installation style, the Natural History Museum of China (NHMC) was honored with the only “Best Project Award for Innovative Exhibition Design and Installation” for the “Exhibition Design & Installation” group by China Cultural Heritage Press. The honor not only demonstrates the NHMC’s strength in the innovation of exhibition design and installation, but further boosts its influence in China’s culture and museum field.

Part of NHMC’s display at the “Auspicious Snake Bringing Blessings” exhibition

Zhang Yuguang, Deputy Director of the NHMC, receives the award on the stage

The curatorial team also introduced the plan for the Global Joint Exhibition of Zodiac Culture for 2026 Year of the Horse. Participating experts and representatives from the exhibitors held discussions regarding the plan, where they shared respective insights.

Since its inception in 2014, the Global Joint Exhibition of Zodiac Culture has gradually grown into one of the branded exhibitions with the largest scope of engagement, the biggest number of exhibitors and the hugest influence in the culture and museum field. The “Galloping into the Spring: Global Joint Exhibition of Zodiac Culture for 2026 Year of the Horse” will still feature unified curation, joint exhibition and integrated communication. The event will bring together domestic and foreign cultural institutions and museums to launch exhibitions and relevant cultural activities during the Spring Festival, so as to communicate the Zodiac culture and tell China’ stories well.