Wang Jijia, who is a 53-year-old farmer in Zhuanglang county in Northwest China's Gansu province， founded a private museum to exhibit old items he collected over the past 30 years.[Photo/Xinhua]

He borrowed money from the bank and used his knowledge from visiting various public museums across the country to design his own museum.

In two years, Wang built the museum that covers about 500 square meters with over 20,000 exhibits, ranging from items as old as several thousand years and new objects from his parents' generation.

"Chinese people are nostalgic, and some of them have experienced ups and downs that were totally different from today," Wang said.

In his museum, he hopes the older generation can recall the unforgettable days while youths can discern the changes brought by their parents, including their sacrifices.

"A museum is a place where people can talk to the bygone times while being surrounded by things of that era," he said.

Since its opening in September 2019, the museum has received more than 16,000 visitors, including culture lovers, elderly villagers, museum colleagues, and medical staff fighting against COVID-19.

Li Fenlin, deputy director of the Gansu Provincial Library, wrote on the guest book, "Wandering in the museum made me review the vicissitudes China had undergone. I am impressed, moved, and full of admiration for the work here."