[Photo by Jiang Dong/China Daily]

An artifact exhibition at the National Museum of China, which runs through July 9, hails the brilliant civilization of Qi by showing a selection of objects from important archaeological finds in Shandong.

The highlights include bronze ware used for ceremonial purposes and with inscriptions which reflect the early development of Qi in the late Western Zhou Dynasty (c.11th century-771 BC) and its rise to a regional power during the Warring States Period (475-221 BC).