Chengdu Museum

Located in the heart of Chengdu, the Chengdu Museum stands as a beacon of history and culture. Established in 1958, it's the largest comprehensive city museum in Southwest China and a national first-class museum. With its rich collection and innovative exhibitions, the museum has become a cultural landmark and an "encyclopedia" of Chengdu's magnificent history.

Architectural Layout of Chengdu Museum

The Chengdu Museum is located on the west side of Tianfu Square in the city center. The main building is divided into the South and North buildings: the South building primarily houses offices and research areas above ground, and an academic lecture hall (multi-functional hall) below ground; the North building is mainly for exhibition areas, with the first floor being the lobby, projection hall, and special exhibition hall, the basement level one for the 'Man and Nature' themed exhibition, the second to third floors for Ancient Chengdu Historical and Cultural Display, the fourth floor for modern and folklore displays, and the fifth floor for the 'Chinese Shadow Puppetry' exhibition, totaling nearly 20,000 square meters of exhibition.

Exhibitions

The museum boasts three permanent exhibitions that take visitors on a journey through time. "Full Bloom of the Brocade City" (History and Culture Display of Chengdu) showcases Chengdu's history from ancient times to folk customs. "Shadow Play and Puppetry of China" delves into the traditional art forms, and "Man and Nature: Donations from Kenneth E. Behring" presents a unique perspective on our relationship with the natural world.

1. History and Culture Display of Chengdu/Ancient Times (2F-3F): This exhibition is a journey through Chengdu's history, divided into four parts: Chengdu in Pre-Qin Times, Chengdu from Qin to the Southern and Northern Dynasties, Chengdu from Song to Yuan Dynasties, and Chengdu in Ming and Qing Dynasties. It offers a comprehensive look at the city's evolution from ancient times through various dynastic changes.

2. History and Culture Display of Chengdu/Recent Historical Period (4F): Focusing on the 19th century onwards, this exhibition highlights Chengdu's significant contributions to modern China's history. It covers pivotal moments such as the Railway Protection Movement, Chengdu's role in the anti-Japanese war, and its place in the liberation of Southwest China.

3. History and Culture Display of Chengdu/Folk Customs (4F): This section celebrates the unique temperament and spirit of Chengdu's people, shaped by a long urban civilization.  It reflects their tolerance and relaxed lifestyle, which is evident in the city's famous delicacies and teas.

4. Chinese Shadow Play (5F): As a major representative of China’s oral and intangible cultural heritage, this exhibition showcases the history, cultural connotations, and the artistry of Chinese shadow play.  It highlights the traditional appearance, performance techniques, and the global influence of this ancient folk art.

5. Puppetry of China (5F): Located on the fifth floor’s north side, this exhibition covers over 400 square meters and displays more than 200 pieces. It traces the history of Chinese puppetry, focusing on various forms like marionette shows, rod puppet shows, and glove puppet shows, narrating the stories of creators and artists who have contributed to the art's inheritance and innovation.

6. Man and Nature: Donations from Kenneth E. Behring (-1F): This is the first permanent exhibition at the Chengdu Museum that features nature. It was made possible by donations from Kenneth E. Behring and provides a unique perspective on the relationship between humans and the natural world.

Collections

With nearly 200,000 historical artifacts, the Chengdu Museum's collections span from the Neolithic period to the Republic of China. These include shadow puppets, modern and contemporary paintings, calligraphy, and more, offering a comprehensive look at the region's rich cultural heritage.

Souvenirs

After admiring the fine collections and exhibitions, visitors can take home a piece of history with the museum's diverse range of souvenirs. 

Appreciating the Architectural Splendor of Chengdu Museum

From a bird's-eye view, the museum's golden copper and transparent glass facade glistens in the sunlight, resembling "gold inlaid with jade."  This simple yet powerful design exudes modernity. The exterior is adorned with 20,000 copper plates from Germany, covering an area of approximately 20,000 square meters, making it the largest copper-clad building in China known to date, shimmering brilliantly under the sun's rays.

From Tianfu Square, the museum's silhouette resembles the undulating hills surrounding the Chengdu Plain. The architectural design draws inspiration from the most splendid eras of ancient Shu civilization, the Sanxingdui and Jinsha cultures, with a form that pays homage to the worship of the Western Mountains.  The combination of gold copper and glass in the design reflects the ancient Shu civilization's adoration of "gold" and "jade."

Ascending to the fourth floor of the museum, visitors are greeted by the most distinctive feature—the hundred-meter-long viewing gallery. Through the gallery's vast glass walls, one can capture a panoramic view of Tianfu Square, embracing the grandeur of the cityscape. This architectural marvel not only showcases the museum's grandeur but also connects visitors to the deep historical roots and artistic achievements of the region.

Tips:

• The museum has a reception desk on the ground floor, which provides consultation, guided tours, interpretation services, and assistance to visitors with special needs.
• The peak viewing hours are 10:00-12:00 and 14:00-16:00, so to have a better viewing experience, it is advised to avoid these peak hours.
• Food is not allowed to be brought into the museum; visitors can store it at the storage point. Bottled water can be brought in after passing security inspection. 

How to Get There

It's easily accessible by public transport, visitors can take Metro Line 1 or 2 to Tianfu Square Station (天府广场站), or you can take Bus No. 13, 30, 43, 47, 64, 78 to Xiyu Street Station (西御街站).