Feng Xiaogang (R), a famous Chinese director, and his wife Xu Fan, a Chinese actress attend china elegance ceremony held in the Water Cube, or the Beijing National Aquatics Center in Beijing, capital of China, Oct 25, 2012.[Photo/Xinhua]

National Museum of China leads the way

Chou back with her big sound

Mogao Grottoes murals prepped for digital display

Last but not least, a short preview of the movie industry. Box-office records have been regularly broken of late, especially with domestic releases. In 2012, domestic films set two records, first with The Painted Skin: Resurrection, and the second time with Lost in Thailand. The upcoming Journey to the West: Conquering the Demons is set to top these two.

So, which Chinese movie is going to be 2013's ultimate winner? It could well be a surprise hit, but given movie-making's unpredictability, it is safer to bet on old horses.

Feng Xiaogang's Tailor-Made (Siren Dingzhi) takes him back to the familiar ground of comedy, and with a script by Wang Shuo, perhaps China's answer to J.D. Salinger, it could be the thinking man's slapstick favorite. Superstar Vicky Zhao may well become the next debut director to enter the billion-yuan club. Her upcoming look at youth is said to pack a punch.

Contact the writers through chenjie@chinadaily.cm.cn.