The Beijing 2018 Olympic Expo was held in Beijing Exhibition Center, Beijing on August 8, 2018. (Photo: Xinhua)

BEIJING -- The 2019 Olympic Expo opened at the Palace Museum in Beijing with the magnificent Forbidden City as its stage.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Yu Zaiqing, vice president of the International Olympic Committee and chairman of the Samaranch Sports Development Foundation, said that the Olympic Expo has always been a wonderful Olympic cultural experience and made a great contribution to the promotion and dissemination of the Olympic spirit.

"With the theme of 'Extreme Creation', the 2019 Olympic Expo focuses on the glory and splendid civilization of the modern Olympic Games. Through the interpretation of the Olympic history, more people will be attracted to participate in and experience the splendor of the Olympic Games," Yu said.

This year's Olympic Expo is divided into five exhibitions, featuring thousands of pieces, including Olympic posters, torches, medals, sculptures and other expressions of art. Also on display are paintings created by the children from across China.

The 2019 Olympic Expo is co-sponsored by the IOC and the Samaranch Sports Development Foundation. From now until May 10, 2019, visitors can buy tickets to the Palace Museum and visit the Olympic Expo free of charge.