1.Things To Know Before You Go
Shaanxi History Museum is truly a "pearl of the ancient capital and a treasure house of China". It has a collection of 1,717,950 cultural relics, among which there are hundreds of first-class cultural relics. From the crystal-clear agate cup in the shape of an animal head to the magnificent painting of the guard of honor in front of the watchtower, all of them display the prosperous scene of the Tang Dynasty and record the hustle and bustle of that fascinating era.
Meanwhile, the Shaanxi History Museum is also a comprehensive history museum. Since its opening, it has held various forms of exhibitions, revealing the rich cultural connotations of historical relics from multiple perspectives and aspects to the public, thus demonstrating the profound and extensive civilized achievements of the Chinese nation, the history is not merely chronicled but passionately relived, thus inspiring an unwavering sense of pride and wonder in every visitor who crosses its threshold.
2.Why Is Shaanxi History Museum So Special?
2.1 The Tangible Benefits Bring To Tourists
Shaanxi History Museum houses more than 370,000 cultural relics ranging from the simple stone tools used by ancient humans to various utensils in social life before 1840, the time span covered is over one million years. Among them, the bronzes of the Shang and Zhou Dynasties are exquisitely crafted, the pottery figurines of different dynasties are in diverse postures, and the murals in Tang Dynasty tombs are unparalleled in the world. Therefore, the museum condenses the historical essence of the Chinese nation and is hailed as the "Treasure House of China". Meanwhile, it is also an art palace that unveils ancient Chinese civilization as well as the historical and cultural heritages of Shaanxi. Tourists can also experience the ancient civilization of China and the amazing visual impact brought by the exquisite exhibits from it.
2.2 Attractions Overview
2.2.1 Geographical Features
Shaanxi History Museum is located at No. 91, East Xiaozhai Road, Yanta District, Xi'an City, Shaanxi Province. It is the first large modern national museum in China, covering an area of 65,000 square meters with an exhibition hall area of 11,000 square meters.
2.2.2 Tourism Resources
With an astounding collection of 1,717,950 cultural relics, it is a sanctuary where history unfolds and stories from bygone eras come alive. Among its prized possessions are hundreds of first-class relics, each of exquisite masterpieces that whispers tales of dynasties in the past, it was an era of boundless prosperity with bustling marketplaces, sumptuous feasts and the melodious strains of music filling in the air — all of these relics faithfully capture the moment and allows the contemporary visitors with a tantalizing glimpse to feel that halcyon past.
2.2.3 Architecture Characteristics
The exterior appearance of Shaanxi History Museum deliberately highlights the elegance of the heyday of the Tang Dynasty. The museum complex consists of a group of buildings in the imitation Tang style, including the stele pool with the museum's name inscribed on it, the main hall, the storage area, the southeast corner tower, the southwest corner tower, the temporary exhibition hall, administrative buildings and business buildings, they are really impressive and captivating.
2.2.4 Exhibition Introduction
The exhibition hall covers an area of 4,600 square meters and composes of three exhibition rooms, which are divided into seven sections (Prehistoric, Zhou, Qin, Han, Wei, Jin, Southern and Northern Dynasties, Sui and Tang Dynasties, Song, Yuan, Ming and Qing Dynasties).
More than 2,000 carefully selected precious cultural relics are on display, the colorful painted pottery vessels that reflect the living scenes and artistic pursuits of ancient ancestors; bronzes mirror the rise and heyday of the Zhou people; bronze swords, looms, terra-cotta warriors and horses, all of these demonstrate the imposing manner of unification of the whole country after conquering six other states; steel building components and large eaves tiles show the enterprising spirit of the Qin and Han Dynasties; as well as exquisite gold and silver wares and tri-colored glazed pottery of the Tang Dynasty that reflect the prosperous scenes of the feudal heyday.
In addition, auxiliary exhibits such as site models, charts and photos are also provided. It systematically presents the ancient history of the Shaanxi region from 1.15 million years ago to 1840. Since the prosperous periods of the Zhou, Qin, Han, Sui and Tang Dynasties in ancient Chinese society all established their capitals in the Shaanxi region, this exhibition focuses on these periods, which not only prominently reflects the splendid ancient culture of the Shaanxi region but also reflects the highest level of China's social, economic and cultural development during these periods.
3. How To Get To Shaanxi History Museum
There are a few public transportation methods as below.
Bus: Take buses No. 271, 701, 527, 5, 19, 24, 26 or 27 and then get off at the Shaanxi History Museum bus stop, it's about a 300-meter walk to reach the museum.
Subway: Get off at Xiaozhai Station on Line 1 or Line 2
Opening Hours and Ticket information
The museum is open from Tuesday to Sunday (it is closed on Mondays).
During the off-season (from November 15th to March 14th of the following year), the opening hours are from 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
During the peak season (from March 15th to November 14th), the opening hours are from 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Address: No. 91, East Xiaozhai Road, Xi'an City. People can take buses No. 5, 24, 521 or 610 directly to Shaanxi History Museum.
Shaanxi History Museum consists of the Basic Exhibition Hall, the Treasure Hall and the Tang Tomb Murals Hall. Admission to the Basic Exhibition Hall is free but tickets are required.
The ticket for the Tang Dynasty Treasures Hall is 30 yuan per person, and tourists can also visit the Basic Exhibition Hall at the same time.
The ticket for the Tang Dynasty Murals Hall is 270 yuan per person and well-equipped with the Audio guides, tourists can visit the Basic Exhibition Hall and the Treasures Hall simultaneously.
4. Highlights Of Shaanxi History Museum
Shaanxi History Museum was officially opened to the public on June 20, 1991 and it has a collection of 375,000 cultural relics (sets) of various kinds. Among them, the mysterious and magnificent bronzes of the Shang and Zhou Dynasties, the pottery figurines of different dynasties in diverse postures, the sumptuous gold and silver wares of the Tang Dynasty, but all of these the unparalleled murals in Tang Dynasty tombs are the most distinctive. Among all the exhibits, 18 pieces (sets) of national treasures and 859 pieces (sets) of first-class cultural relics are especially favored by the public.
The exhibitions in the Shaanxi History Museum are mainly divided into three parts: basic exhibitions, thematic exhibitions and temporary exhibitions. The basic exhibitions, arranged in chronological order, systematically display the history of China from the Lantian Man in the early Paleolithic Age, through the Zhou, Qin, Han, Wei, Jin, Southern and Northern Dynasties, Sui and Tang Dynasties, Song, Yuan, Ming and Qing Dynasties, to the Opium War in 1840 AD.
4.1 No.1 Exhibition Hall Of Early Shaanxi Ancient Civilization 第一展览馆--早期陕西古代文明
The first exhibition hall is divided into three sections: "Farewell between Man and Ape", "The Phoenix Singing on Mount Qi" and "The Eastern Empire".
"Farewell between Man and Ape" reproduces the vibrant childhood of the Chinese nation and the dawn of civilization by presenting the remains of ancient ancestors such as the Lantian Man who lived 1.15 million years ago, the Dali Man, the Banpo Site in Xi'an and the Jiangzhai Site in Lintong.
"The Phoenix Singing on Mount Qi" showcases the political system, economic form, especially the ethical spirit and bronze casting techniques of the early Chinese states by displaying the rich historical sites and relics in Shaanxi, which was the capital of the Western Zhou Dynasty.
"The Eastern Empire" mainly exhibits the cultural relics of the Qin Dynasty represented by the Terracotta Warriors. With its magnificent momentum and distinct military features, it demonstrates the institutional civilization of the Qin Empire that set an example for later generations as well as the enterprising spirit of the times when the whole country was unified.
4.2 No.2 Exhibition Hall Of Legacy Of Han Dynasty 第二展览馆--汉代文化遗产
The second exhibition hall is mainly divided into "The Grandeur of the Han Dynasty" and "Conflict and Integration".
"The Grandeur of the Han Dynasty" displays the first peak of the development of ancient Chinese society - the prosperous economy, culture, and foreign exchanges and interactions during the Han Dynasty by presenting Chang'an, the capital of the Han Dynasty, the mausoleums and watchtowers of the Han Dynasty, as well as typical cultural relics of the Han Dynasty, such as gold cakes of the Han Dynasty, jade seals, the gilt-bronze incense burner with bamboo joints of the Western Han Dynasty, the painted bronze lamp in the shape of a wild goose holding a fish of the Western Han Dynasty, the painted pottery bell of the Western Han Dynasty, the pottery cosmetic box with green glaze and cloud patterns of the Western Han Dynasty, the painted cavalry figurines of the Western Han Dynasty, and the bronze mirror of Shanglin of the Western Han Dynasty. In general, it highlights the open, pioneering and powerful features of that era.
"Conflict and Integration" demonstrates the great ethnic integration, the spread of Buddhism to the East, and the prosperity and characteristics of cultural arts by featuring the rich and exquisite cultural remains of agricultural and grassland ethnic groups in Shaanxi as well as religious cultural relics, such as the golden monster of the Han Dynasty, the gold seal of "King of the Qiang Tribe Who Returned to Allegiance" in the Jin Dynasty, the multi-faceted jet group seal of Dugu Xin in the Western Wei Dynasty, the gilt bronze cylinder for holding clay used in imperial court of the Linghua Zige in the Sixteen Kingdoms Period, the painted figurine on horseback blowing a horn of the Northern Wei Dynasty, the painted figurine of a foreign warrior holding a shield of the Southern and Northern Dynasties, the three bronze statues of golden Buddhas in the Northern Wei Dynasty show the great integration of nationalities, the eastward spread of Buddhism and the prosperity and characteristics of culture and art.
4.3 No.3 Exhibition Hall Of Tang Dynasty 第三展览馆--唐代文明
The third exhibition hall is mainly divided into "The Prosperous Scene of the Glorious Tang Dynasty" and "Farewell to the Imperial Capital".
"The Prosperous Scene of the Glorious Tang Dynasty" mainly shows the cultural features of the most prosperous period in ancient China through the typical remains of the Sui and Tang Dynasties. It presents Chang'an, which was the most prosperous international metropolis in the world at that time, the Silk Road that connected the exchanges between the East and the West, as well as the unprecedented height achieved by the inclusive and innovative Sui and Tang cultures.
"Farewell to the Imperial Capital" mainly displays the uniquely charming cultural creations and spiritual inheritances of Shaanxi, which served as an important town in the western region and the center of the northwestern region after the Tang Dynasty.
4.4 Exhibition Hall For Murals Of The Tang Dynasty Tomb 唐代壁画珍品展
The murals in Tang Dynasty tombs are one of the most distinctive exhibition areas in the Shaanxi History Museum. There are nearly 600 murals from Tang Dynasty tombs in the entire exhibition hall, among which 18 are fine murals of national treasure level, they mainly depict architectures with unique styles, figures that are simple yet vivid, and landscapes that are concise and lively, bringing the bustling life scenes of the Tang Dynasty to life vividly.
Among all the murals, "The Picture of Envoys", "The Picture of Palace Maids", "The Picture of Polo" and "The Picture of the Watchtower and Guard of Honor" are all classic works that tourists should take into consideration. While the murals in Tang Dynasty tombs, with their architectures of unique styles, figures that are simple yet expressive, utensils with distinct characteristics, landscapes that are concise and lively and animals and plants that seem to come alive, all of these depict the etiquette norms, living customs, clothing features, entertainment ways and architectural styles of that time. Therefore, they are of high value and are important visual materials for studying the social life of the Tang Dynasty, especially the life and spiritual pursuits of the nobility.
4.5 Exhibition Hall For Treasures Of Great Tang 大唐遗宝展
The exhibition of "Treasures of the Tang Dynasty - Cultural Relics Unearthed from the He Family Village" has been on display in the west hall of the Shaanxi History Museum for six years and has received 2.6 million visitors from all over the world.
The precious relics display area is the most important part of the exhibition, since it displays more than 30 sets of jade wares, precious stones and other utensils unearthed from the He Family Village, including the agate cup in the shape of an animal head, which is one of the "treasures of the museum" in Shaanxi History Museum. Meanwhile, 466 gold, silver and copper coins unearthed from the hoard are also on display, dating from the Warring States Period to the Tang Dynasty. There are also Japanese silver coins, Persian Sassanian silver coins and Eastern Roman gold coins with a time span of more than a thousand years.
5. Suggested Tour Routes And Attractions
Exhibition Hall 1: From ancient times to the Shang and Zhou Dynasties, it displays historical relics of prehistoric civilization and the Xia, Shang and Zhou Dynasties, including the Gilded Tiger Tally of Du (Warring States Period) and the Wei Ding with Five Sacrificial Offerings (Western Zhou Dynasty).
Exhibition Hall 2: The Legacy of the Han Dynasty, which unveils cultural relics of the Han Dynasty, such as the Seal of the Empress of the Western Han Dynasty and the Gilt and Silver-plated Bronze Incense Burner with Bamboo Joints (Western Han Dynasty).
Exhibition Hall 3: The Charm of the Great Tang Dynasty, presenting cultural relics of the Tang Dynasty, like the Gold Bowl with Mandarin Duck and Lotus Petal Patterns (Tang Dynasty) associated with the Tri-colored Glazed Pottery Figurine of a Camel with Musicians (Tang Dynasty).
Exhibition Hall B1: Treasures from the He Family Village, displaying cultural relics unearthed from the He Family Village, including the Agate Cup with a Gilded Animal Head and the Silver Pot with a Gilt Parrot Pattern and a Handle (Tang Dynasty).
Exhibition Hall B2: Murals Exhibition Hall, showing murals of the Tang Dynasty, as well as the Zhongshan Grottoes and the Black-glazed Bowl with Oil-drop Patterns (Song Dynasty).
Exhibition Hall F1: National Treasures Exhibition Hall, exhibiting other precious cultural relics, such as the Bronze Goose and the Bronze Square Measuring Vessel (Qin Dynasty).
6. Best Time To Go
The best time to visit Shaanxi History Museum is 8:00 a.m., 12:00 at noon and 3:30 p.m. Entering the museum as the first batch of visitors at 8:00 a.m. allows them to avoid the peak flow of people and enjoy a peaceful historical tour. Entering the museum around 12:00 at noon is also a good option, as the guided tour groups in the morning have ended at this time and those in the afternoon haven't started yet, so there will be relatively fewer people. Besides, the number of visitors begins to decrease after 3:30 p.m., thus it is a good time for continuing the visit again.
7. Nearby Attractions
7.1 Tang Paradise 大唐芙蓉园
Tang Paradise is a famous garden with Tang-style architecture in Xi'an, it is located in Qujiang New Area, about 2.2 kilometers away from the Shaanxi History Museum. This garden was rebuilt on the basis of the site of the Tang Dynasty's Lotus Garden, following the style of the imperial gardens in the Tang Dynasty.
As the first large imperial-garden-style cultural theme park in China that comprehensively reveals the features of the glorious Tang Dynasty, it covers an area of about 66.7 hectares, among which the water area is about 20 hectares. There are many antique buildings in the park, such as the Purple Cloud Tower, the Ladies' Hall and the Imperial Banquet Palace. As the largest group of Tang-style imperial buildings in China, it is especially worth mentioning that the Tang Paradise is particularly magnificent under the bright lights for various seasonal performances at night, which makes it a must-see tourism attraction.
7.2 Big Wild Goose Pagoda 大雁塔
Giant Wild Goose Pagoda is a famous scenic spot near the Shaanxi History Museum, it is located in the southern suburbs of Xi'an City and is a representative building and urban symbol of Xi'an. This eighteen-story pagoda-shaped building is one of the eight wonders of the world with exquisitely carved interiors, demonstrating the beauty of ancient architectural art. Besides, Giant Wild Goose Pagoda located in the Great Ci 'en Temple has a long history dating back more than a thousand years, so it is regarded as a time-honored Buddhist sacred place. What's more, its unique design makes it tower into the clouds, just like a giant wild goose. Starting from the Shaanxi History Museum, tourists only need to walk about 1.1 km to reach the Big Wild Goose Pagoda.
7.3 Xian City Wall 西安古城墙
Xi'an City Wall is a famous ancient cultural attraction near the Shaanxi History Museum and also one of the oldest city walls in China. It has a long history and is fairly well-preserved, so its historical and cultural values make it a popular tourist destination and thus attracts a large number of tourists to visit every year. Moreover, it's only about 1.2 kilometres' walk from the Shaanxi History Museum to the Xi'an Ancient City Wall, which is very convenient for tourists to get there.
8. Useful Travel Tips
Tickets for the Shaanxi History Museum are in high demand, so it is essential to make reservations in advance.Reservations for tickets to the basic exhibitions can be made three days in advance (including the day of the visit).
Reservation methods: Make reservations in advance through the official WeChat account of the "Ticketing System of Shaanxi History Museum", or open the ticketing system on the WeChat official account "Shaanxi History Museum" to make reservations in advance.
Tickets are released from 8 to 10 p.m. every day, so it is recommended to try to get tickets as early as possible, then visitors can go to the museum, queue up on site, show their ID card at the window and collect their tickets before entering the museum.
