© dpa
Weekend Tips: What to Do This Weekend in Berlin
April 24 to 26, 2026: Events, festivals, exhibitions and more things to do for your perfect weekend in Berlin. more
Ghostbuster: Zhong Kui, the Demon Queller
Here to Protect the Family
Tanzender Zhong Kui, Detail, China, Yangliuqing, 1. Hälfte 20. Jh., Holzschnitt
© Staatliche Museen zu Berlin, Museum für Asiatische Kunst
Gao Qipei (1660–1734), Zhong Kui mit Schwert, Detail, Qing-Dynastie (1644 – 1911), datiert 1716 am Tag des Drachenboot-Festes, Fingermalerei
© Staatliche Museen zu Berlin, Museum für Asiatische Kunst
Zhong Kui begleitet seine Schwester zu ihrem neuen Zuhause, Detail, Qing-Dynastie (1644–1911), 19. Jh.
© Staatliche Museen zu Berlin, Museum für Asiatische Kunst
Zhong Kui als Beschützer des Hauses, China, Zhuxianzhen, Provinz Henan, 1. Hälfte 20. Jh., Holzschnitt
© Staatliche Museen zu Berlin, Museum für Asiatische Kunst
Dem Palast zugeordnete, militärische Gottheiten, China, Yangliuqing, 1. Hälfte 20. Jh., Holzschnitt
© Staatliche Museen zu Berlin, Museum für Asiatische Kunst
Legend has it that Zhong Kui 鍾馗 was a brilliant scholar. Although he came first in the imperial civil service examination, the emperor denied him this honorary title due to his appearance (狀元). Out of anger, he took his own life. However, the King of Hell recognized his potential and commissioned him to hunt down evil spirits.
In art, Zhong Kui is often depicted as wearing an official's hat, a bushy black beard, bulging eyes and an angry expression. Sometimes he wields a sword, sometimes he is the dutiful brother marrying off his sister. Woodcuts with him on front doors protect stores and family homes, especially during the New Year or Dragon Boat Festival. Today, Zhong Kui also appears chasing ghosts in video games.
Curator
The exhibition is curated by Birgitta Augustin.
A temporary presentation of the Museum of Asian Art of the National Museums in Berlin in the Humboldt Forum, Room 319, "Artists and Connoisseurs"Translated with DeepL
In art, Zhong Kui is often depicted as wearing an official's hat, a bushy black beard, bulging eyes and an angry expression. Sometimes he wields a sword, sometimes he is the dutiful brother marrying off his sister. Woodcuts with him on front doors protect stores and family homes, especially during the New Year or Dragon Boat Festival. Today, Zhong Kui also appears chasing ghosts in video games.
Curator
The exhibition is curated by Birgitta Augustin.
A temporary presentation of the Museum of Asian Art of the National Museums in Berlin in the Humboldt Forum, Room 319, "Artists and Connoisseurs"Translated with DeepL
Runtime: Wed, 18/03/2026 to Mon, 28/09/2026
Price info: Since October 3, 2025, the Humboldt Forum has had a new pricing model:
With just one ticket, you will have access to the permanent exhibitions and temporary presentations – and you can choose between a one-day, two-day or group ticket for maximum flexibility. All of these ticket options allow you to visit the collections of the Ethnological Museum and the Museum of Asian Art, BERLIN GLOBAL, as well as other temporary exhibitions. The ticket is also valid for the special exhibition Family Matters (from 3 October) with interventions throughout the building and in the Knoblauchhaus Museum in the Nikolaiviertel.
Many areas and programmes are still accessible to you free of charge – including the Humboldt Laboratory with the new exhibition On Water. Water Knowledge in Berlin (from 10 October), the stairwell with Impressions. The Humboldt Brothers, the castle cellar, the sculpture hall, the video panorama and the presentation Traces. You can also attend numerous events and educational programmes without paying admission.
Price: €14.00
Reduced price: €7.00
Reduced price info: Admission remains free of charge for children and young people up to the age of 19, persons accompanying a severely disabled person (provided this is noted as B on the severely disabled person’s pass), persons receiving transfer payments and Berlin-Ticket-S-holders. Admission is also free of charge for Members of the International Council of Museums (ICOM), the German Museums Association and the Federal Association for Museum Education.
With just one ticket, you will have access to the permanent exhibitions and temporary presentations – and you can choose between a one-day, two-day or group ticket for maximum flexibility. All of these ticket options allow you to visit the collections of the Ethnological Museum and the Museum of Asian Art, BERLIN GLOBAL, as well as other temporary exhibitions. The ticket is also valid for the special exhibition Family Matters (from 3 October) with interventions throughout the building and in the Knoblauchhaus Museum in the Nikolaiviertel.
Many areas and programmes are still accessible to you free of charge – including the Humboldt Laboratory with the new exhibition On Water. Water Knowledge in Berlin (from 10 October), the stairwell with Impressions. The Humboldt Brothers, the castle cellar, the sculpture hall, the video panorama and the presentation Traces. You can also attend numerous events and educational programmes without paying admission.
Price: €14.00
Reduced price: €7.00
Reduced price info: Admission remains free of charge for children and young people up to the age of 19, persons accompanying a severely disabled person (provided this is noted as B on the severely disabled person’s pass), persons receiving transfer payments and Berlin-Ticket-S-holders. Admission is also free of charge for Members of the International Council of Museums (ICOM), the German Museums Association and the Federal Association for Museum Education.
Takes place here:
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