I have followed with interest the posts concerning the clock
collection in Beijing and so I "Google'd" it.  I found a lot of
information about it and many pictures.

The exhibition of some 200 pieces is in the Hall of Ancestors and
an article from 2011 says that it is quite accessible although there
is a supplementary charge of some 15 RNB.  I discovered this while
searching a short video of the Writing Man clock and another of one
of the clocks with numerous animated figures.

One visitor has posted a large and probably fairly representative
set of photographs.  He mentions low-level lighting but on the whole
his pictures are quite clear.  He also comments that there is little
information about the items, usually maker and country of origin only.
Unfortunately, although the pictures show the presence of the labels,
they cannot be read and he offers no details of the pieces.

I also read an article about the repairs carried out to some exhibits
which were loaned to a museum in Utrecht and the possibility of
training the Chinese to repair and maintain the clocks, etc., something
which ceased, apparently, with the abdication of the "Last Emperor" in
the early years of the last century.

I should think that anyone fortunate enough to visit Beijing would find
a visit to the museum very well worthwhile.

And I would add that it is these sorts of queries appearing in MMD
which I so enjoy as they lead me into all sorts of areas which I never
knew existed.  Thanks for that.

Jon Polden
UK