Unveiling the Treasures of Hunan Provincial Museum（湖南省博物馆）

I. Introduction to Hunan Provincial Museum

A. General Overview

Hunan Provincial Museum, now named Hunan Museum, is located at No. 50 Dongfeng Road, Kaifu District, Changsha City, in the central area of Changsha and at the northwest corner of Changsha Martyrs Park. It has a long history, dating back to its establishment in the early 1950s.

As the largest history and art museum in Hunan Province, it is also one of the first batch of national first-class museums in China and one of the eight national key museums jointly built by the central and local governments. With a total area of about 49,000 square meters for the new museum and a building area of about 91,000 square meters, the museum has a collection of more than 180,000 cultural relics.

It initially became famous for the excavation of the Mawangdui Han Tombs from 1972 to 1974, which is regarded as one of the most significant archaeological discoveries in the 20th century. Today, it stands as one of the top ten cultural landmarks in Hunan Province, integrating functions like cultural relics collection, exhibition, academic research, cultural exchange, and education service. It focuses on protecting cultural heritage and reflecting the "Huxiang Civilization" and historical progress of the Hunan region.

B. Architectural Features

The new exhibition building of Hunan Provincial Museum presents a simple yet magnificent appearance. Its design is both functional and well-equipped. With its rational layout, the building can accommodate multiple permanent and temporary exhibitions.

The exterior design combines modern aesthetics with elements that echo the local cultural charm, making it an eye-catching landmark in the city. Inside, the spacious exhibition halls are equipped with advanced lighting, temperature and humidity control systems to ensure the best preservation and display conditions for the precious cultural relics. Whether it's the large-scale permanent exhibitions that showcase the profound history and culture of Hunan or the various temporary exhibitions that bring different cultural themes and artworks, the building provides an excellent platform to present them to the visitors.

II. Main Exhibitions in the Museum

A. The Exhibition of Han Tombs at Mawangdui

From 1972 to early 1974, Chinese archaeological workers excavated three tombs of the Western Han Dynasty at Mawangdui and achieved tremendous results which attracted attention at home and abroad. Over 3,000 cultural relics and a well-preserved female corpse were unearthed. These relics are of great value in studying the politics, economy, military affairs, culture, science and technology of the early Western Han period.

Among the uncovered relics are bright-colored lacquer wares representing the highest level of workmanship at that time. The fine silks amazingly show accomplished weaving technique. There are also silk paintings with romantic themes of the Kingdom of Heaven and the craving for eternity, as well as silk inscriptions demonstrating the knowledge and wisdom of the ancient people. The well-preserved female corpse is even a miracle in human antisepsis. For example, Lady Xin Zhui, who died at about 50, was the wife of Li Cang, chancellor of the Changsha Kingdom during the Western Han Dynasty. When she was excavated, her body hadn't corrupted. Her skin was still soft and moist. She looked as if she was just in a sleep.

B. The Exhibition of Shang and Zhou Bronzes found in Hunan Province

The earliest bronzes that have been found in Hunan Province were excavated from several Shang Dynasty sites (over 3,500 years ago) in Tonggushan of Yueyang City and Zaoshi of Shimen County. The Museum has a fairly large collection of bronzes of the Shang and Zhou Dynasties.

The Exhibition of Shang and Zhou Bronzes found in Hunan Province displays 72 carefully selected bronzes and 11 jade objects unearthed together with the bronzes. This exhibition reflects the sequence of development of bronze culture in Hunan Province. It also offers knowledge of the bronze Nao (a kind of musical instrument) and animal-shaped bronze utensils, and enriches the connotation of China's bronze culture.

C. The Exhibition of Ceramics from Famous Kilns in Hunan Province

The ceramics industry in Hunan Province has obtained a unique position after a long history of development. The ten-thousand-year-old pottery shards unearthed at Yuchanyan in Dao County are among the earliest ever-discovered in China. More than 400 kilns chronologically ranging from the Eastern Han Dynasty (206BC -23AD) to the Qing Dynasty (1636-1912) have been discovered in Hunan Province.

The brilliantly colorful ceramic art of Hunan has added a bright vista to ancient ceramics in China. It showcases the unique charm and high level of the local ceramic making skills over the ages.

D. The Exhibition of Calligraphies in the Ming and Qing Dynasties

Calligraphy in China is an old and unique traditional art. Chinese calligraphy is based on Chinese written characters and gradually develops into a most concentrated aesthetic form of art that provides an understanding of the Chinese culture.

There are a large collection of calligraphy works of the Ming and Qing Dynasties (1368-1912) in the museum, especially the works of celebrities from Hunan Province, which show the elegant and distinct demeanor of Hunan calligraphy. The displayed collection of the Ming and Qing Dynasties epitomizes the continuation, innovation and development of calligraphy in Hunan Province along with the other parts of China. It allows visitors to appreciate the different styles and artistic expressions of calligraphy in that period.

E. The Exhibition of Paintings Created in the Ming and Qing Dynasties

The history of Chinese painting art runs a long course from a remote source with its unique national style and profound cultural information. Based on the development of the painting art in the Tang and the Song Dynasties (618AD-1279AD), the painting art of the Ming and the Qing Dynasties has a tendency of individuation, and, therefore, various schools of paintings with different styles have appeared.

There is a large collection of paintings of the Ming and the Qing Dynasties in this exhibition. Among them, there are works of painters that have never been shown anywhere else in the country, which show the basic development of the painting art and the artistic style of Ming and Qing Dynasties. It gives a vivid picture of the flourishing painting scene during those times.

F. The Exhibition of Ten New Major Archaeological Discoveries in Hunan Province

The Exhibition of Ten New Major Archaeological Discoveries in Hunan Province with 133 artifacts shows the ten new great archaeological discoveries in Hunan Province over the past ten years. Among which, eight have been included in Annual Ten New Major Archaeological Discoveries in China and three have been included in the Hundred Greatest Archaeological Discoveries of the Twentieth Century in China.

Furthermore, the excavation of an ancient city site from the Warring States (475BC-221BC) to the Qin (221BC-206BC) and Han (206BC-220AD) Dynasties in Liye of Longshan County has been regarded as one of the greatest archaeological discoveries of the twenty-first century in China. This exhibition shows rich and various aspects of artifacts, including quantity, variety, form, cultural meaning, historical and scientific value and so on. There are also many national treasures displayed here, such as Coffin with Painted Design on Black Lacquer Coating, which, though has been buried for more than two thousand years, still shines in dazzling colors.

III. Practical Information for Visitors

A. Opening Hours and Admission

The Hunan Provincial Museum is free to enter, except on Mondays. Its opening hours are from 8:00 am to 17:45. Visitors can plan their trips accordingly and make the most of their time exploring the wonderful exhibitions within this time frame. Just remember to avoid Mondays when planning your visit.

B. Transportation

Getting to the Hunan Provincial Museum is quite convenient. You can take bus numbers 112 and 136 to reach the museum. These bus routes cover certain areas of the city and can drop you off close to the museum entrance, making it accessible for both local residents and tourists.

C. Other Services

When you visit the Hunan Provincial Museum, you'll find several useful services available. At the entrance, there are English-speaking volunteers ready to assist you. They can answer your questions and offer insights to enhance your visiting experience. Moreover, the introduction boards throughout the museum have English translations, so you can easily understand the information about the exhibits.

You can also use the WeChat app to scan the QR codes in the exhibition galleries. By doing this, you can access detailed information about the exhibits as well as audio guides, which allow you to learn more about the cultural relics at your own pace. Additionally, during the museum's open hours, free guided tours are arranged. These guided tours, led by professional docents or volunteers, can help you gain a deeper understanding of the exhibitions and the stories behind the cultural relics.

IV. Conclusion

In conclusion, Hunan Provincial Museum is truly a remarkable destination that brims with unique charm and rich cultural connotations. From the world-famous Mawangdui Han Tombs exhibition to the displays of Shang and Zhou Bronzes, ceramics, calligraphies, paintings, and the latest archaeological discoveries, it offers a comprehensive and in-depth look into the long history and splendid art of the Hunan region.

Here, visitors can not only admire precious cultural relics but also immerse themselves in the profound cultural atmosphere, feeling the continuation and evolution of the "Huxiang Civilization". Whether you are a history enthusiast, an art lover, or simply curious about different cultures, this museum is definitely worth a visit.

OCT orient china travel Company is committed to facilitating such cultural visits. We strive to make it easier and more convenient for travelers from all over the world to come and explore this cultural treasure. We hope that when you have the opportunity, you will come to Hunan Provincial Museum in person, experience its unique charm, and gain a deeper understanding of the profound history and art of the Hunan region. Let's embark on this cultural journey together and create unforgettable memories.

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