Nanjing Museum

Nanjing Museum, Nanjing

Overview

The Nanjing Museum is located in Nanjing, the capital of Jiangsu Province in East China. With an area of 70,000 square metres (17 acres), it is one of the largest museums in China. The museum has over 400,000 items in its permanent collection, making it one of the largest in China. Especially notable is the museum's enormous collections of Ming and Qing imperial porcelain, which is among the largest in the world.

History

The Nanjing Museum was one of the first museums established in China. The predecessor of the Nanjing Museum was the preparatory department of the National Central Museum, which established in 1933. The museum took over 12.9 hectares (32 acres) in the Half Hill Garden of Zhongshan Gate. Cai Yuanpei, the first preparatory president of the council of the museum, proposed building three major halls, named "Humanity," "Craft" and "Nature". Because of China's political instability in the 1930s, only the Humanity Hall was built. 

During the Japanese invasion, part of its collections were transferred to Southwest China, and in the end moved to the National Palace Museum in Taipei when the Kuomintang lost the Chinese Civil War. The historian Fu Sinian and anthropologist and archaeologist Li Ji were once preparatory presidents, and the archaeologist and museologist Zeng Zhaoyu was the first female president and also a founder of Nanjing Museum. In 1999 and 2009, extensions were built to the museum.

Structure & Building

The main building was designed by Liang Sicheng in the 1930s combining Chinese and Western architectural styles. The front section is structure of traditional style and features a golden tiled roof. In the back is a Western-style flat-roof structure. Added in the 1990s to the west of the main building is an art hall which references Chinese architecture of the first half of the 20th century.

What to see in Nanjing Museum

Discover everything from ancient civilizations to the early days of the Republic in exhibitions, displays and performances. Being one of the first museums to be established in China, it is also one of the largest.

The museum boasts one of the most extensive collections in the world of imperial porcelain from the Ming and Qing Dynasties. Marvel at the elaborately decorated blue and white pieces.

Famous for having a full size suit of armor made from small jade tiles held together by silver wire the museum is a must-see. This jade burial suit dates back to the second century Eastern Han Dynasty.

From the second century to the ancient civilizations of the Jiangsu province the Historical Hall is home to fascinating permanent exhibitions of relics. To enjoy paintings, calligraphy and statues visit the Art Hall. It’s eight rooms include paintings by prolific 20th century Chinese artists including Fu Baoshi (1904-1965), Chen Zhifo (1896-1962) and Su Tianci (born 1922).

Exhibition Halls

There are twelve exhibition halls at the museum. A highlight of the collection is a full-size suit of armor made from small jade tiles held together by silver wire.

Travel Guide

Opening Hours: 9:00-16:30 (Closed every Monday)
Admission Fee: Free
Address: No. 321 East Zhongshan Road

How to get to Nanjing Museum

Metro Route: Take Line 2 and get off at Imperial Palace of Ming Dynasty Station