As more emphasis has been placed on exhibitions in China, the State Administration of Cultural Heritage recently published a list of the top 10 local exhibitions held in 2001 and 2002.

They were selected by experts from a total of 59 exhibitions that were recommended by the cultural heritage administrations of 23 Chinese provinces.

The event, hosted by the Chinese Society of Museums and the Beijing-based Cultural Heritage News, aims to promote the level of academic studies and publicity of exhibitions.

"World Cultural and Natural Heritage - Ermei Mountain," held by the Ermei Mountain Museum, "Treasures in the Snow Land - Tibetan Cultural Heritages" by the Shanghai Museum and "Silent Brilliance - Cultural Heritages of the Famen Temple" by the Famen Temple Museum, were among the most acclaimed of all.

Other selected exhibitions included the "Historical Site of the Hu Kingdom" by the Sanmenxia Hu Kingdom Museum, the "History of Aihui" by the Aihui Historical Museum, "The Ancient History of Wuhan" by the Wuhan Historical Museum, the "Cizhou Kilt" by the Handan Municipal Museum and the "Iron Brush - Luliang Carved Stone Tablets from the Han Dynasty (206 BC - AD 220)" by the Luliang Museum.

"Chinese Tea Culture" by the China Tea Museum and the "Jilin Meteorite Shower" by the Jilin Municipal Museum were also included on the list.

Meanwhile, a photo exhibition on 80 years of the Communist Party of China, held by the Chinese Museum of Revolutionary History, won a special prize.