Core Viewpoint - The popularity of museums has surged in recent years, driven by free admission policies and a growing interest among young people, but this has led to overcrowding and a decline in visitor experience [5][7][19]. Group 1: Popularity of Museums - Museums have become increasingly popular, with visitor numbers rising from 260 million in 2007 to 1.12 billion in 2019, and projected to reach 1.33 billion in 2024 [7][10]. - Major museums like the Palace Museum and the National Museum of China remain top attractions, while provincial museums like the Terracotta Army Museum and Shanghai Museum also see significant visitor numbers [10][11]. - The Hubei Provincial Museum and Hunan Museum have reported visitor increases, with Hunan Museum receiving 4.91 million visitors in 2024 [12][16]. Group 2: Visitor Experience Challenges - The influx of visitors has resulted in a decline in the quality of the museum experience, with complaints about overcrowding and disruptive behavior from other guests [19][20]. - Social media has highlighted issues such as visitors treating museums as photo opportunities, leading to conflicts with those wanting to appreciate the exhibits [20][24]. - The presence of children and school groups has also contributed to a chaotic environment, with parents often neglecting to supervise their children [24][29]. Group 3: Operational Challenges - Many museums face operational difficulties, including a lack of professional staff and inadequate funding, with 2023 seeing a loss of 1.423 billion yuan across museums [36][39]. - The majority of museum funding comes from government subsidies, which can be insufficient for maintaining operations and improving visitor services [37][40]. - Museums like the Shanghai Museum have successfully generated revenue through exhibitions, but smaller museums struggle to attract visitors and generate income [39][40].