Things to do in China, China: The Best Museums

March 16, 2022 Nobuko Falco

China, officially the People's Republic of China (PRC), is a unitary sovereign state in East Asia and the world's most populous country, with a population of around 1.404 billion. Covering approximately 9,600,000 square kilometers (3,700,000 sq mi), it is the third- or fourth-largest country by total area, depending on the source consulted. China also has the most neighbor countries in the world. Governed by the Communist Party of China, it exercises jurisdiction over 22 provinces, five autonomous regions, four direct-controlled municipalities (Beijing, Tianjin, Shanghai, and Chongqing), and the special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macau.
Restaurants in China

1. Chen Clan Ancestral Hall-Folk Craft Museum

No.34 Enlong Li, Zhongshan 7th Road, Guangzhou 510150 China +86 20 8181 7371 http://gzchenjiaci.com
Excellent
44%
Good
43%
Satisfactory
11%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,095 reviews

Chen Clan Ancestral Hall-Folk Craft Museum

A must-see attraction, with a history of more than 100 years and still in its original shape. The buildings are famous for their exquisite and mythical decorations, such as the brick carvings of historic figures. The temple also functions as a museum under the auspices of Guangdong Folk Arts Museum, exhibiting a variety of folk arts and crafts.

Reviewed By Ailton007 - Seattle, United States

Great intro into Guangdong Folk Art. Traditional Chinese architecture and decoration, beautiful ornaments and ceramics on display and the building / temple as such is a sight itself. We started our day here and there's lots of other places nearby to check out, all easy to reach by taxi and some even on foot.

2. Shanghai Museum (Shanghai Bowuguan)

No.201 Renmin Avenue, Shanghai China +86 21 6372 3500 https://www.shanghaimuseum.net/museum/frontend/
Excellent
54%
Good
33%
Satisfactory
10%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 4,847 reviews

Shanghai Museum (Shanghai Bowuguan)

This elegant museum, opened in 1996, features eleven state-of-the-art galleries housing China’s international-standard exhibits of bronzes, paintings, sculpture, ceramics, jade and Ming and Qing dynasty furniture.

Reviewed By DeveanCook - Lubbock, United States

The Shanghai Museum is an expansive museum covering many collections of art from ancient Chinese history and it is both informative and impressive. The museum covers 4 floors and has 11 galleries. The galleries are all quite vast and are informative. Information cards are almost all in both English and Chinese, making it very easy for Westerners and non-Chinese speakers to understand the descriptions. A better job of this could've been done in the exhibition on currency, however, as a number of signs were in Chinese only. Just about every aspect of ancient Chinese arts are covered including calligraphy, paintings, pottery and ceramics, and sculpture. There are also exhibits covering bronze, jade, currency, and furniture. In addition to the ancient Chinese exhibits there are also exhibitions in other categories including Silk Road coins, artifacts from Oceania, and others. The sheer size of the collection means that at least 3 hours should be spent here and it is nearly impossible to cover the entire museum in one day. In all, this museum is well worth a visit in Shanghai.

3. Hong Kong Museum of History

100 Chatham Rd S, Tsim Sha Tsui East, Kowloon, Hong Kong China +852 2724 9042 [email protected] http://www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/Museum/History/index.php
Excellent
64%
Good
30%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 3,702 reviews

Hong Kong Museum of History

Reviewed By kpiddy - Brisbane, Australia

What a find, the Hong Kong Museum of History was fabulous and free. Three hours passed so quickly, the exhibits and artifacts cover the history of Hong Kong in chronological order were superb. The exhibition starts in the prehistoric year and covers everything in between to modern times, there are recreated harbourside scenes, full sized traditional town streets and temples, quality pieces and so colourful and informative. Definitely worthy of a return visit in the future. Open daily, closed on Tuesday. Nearest MTR stations are Hung Hom, Jordan and Tsim Sha Tsui.

4. The Museum of Qin Terra-cotta Warriors and Horses

Qinling North Road, Lintong District, Xi'an 710600 China +86 29 8139 9127 [email protected] http://www.bmy.com.cn/
Excellent
75%
Good
19%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 14,943 reviews

The Museum of Qin Terra-cotta Warriors and Horses

One of the most significant archaeological finds in the world, this 16,300-square-meter excavation reveals more than 7,000 life-size terracotta figures of warriors and horses arranged in battle formations.

Reviewed By DWoerner - Georgetown, United States

The famous Terra Cotta Warriors are a huge collection of terracotta sculptures depicting the armies of Qin Shi Huang, the first Emperor of China, buried with the emperor in 210–209 BCE with the purpose of protecting the emperor in his afterlife. These were only discovered accidentally by local farmers in 1974, and the excavation and restoration is still continuing. The statues are displayed in three huge buildings, each one the size of an enclosed football stadium. The restoration work goes on in the rear of the buildings and may be observed by visitors. Incredibly, each of the thousands of statues is unique, with a body posed uniquely and with distinct facial features. Many statues are in damaged condition on being excavated and are cleaned and restored before being returned to their original place.

5. Hubei Provincial Museum

No.156 Donghu Road, Wuchang District, Wuhan 430077 China +86 27 8679 4127 http://www.hbww.org/
Excellent
60%
Good
33%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 474 reviews

Hubei Provincial Museum

This museum contains more than 140,000 artifacts, mainly excavated from a large tomb more than 2,400 years old.

Reviewed By Rafiq_in_Wuhan - Wuhan, China

I am a native of Wuhan, and I often take some foreign guests to visit Wuhan. For me, Hubei Provincial Museum is: If you want to know the history of Wuhan, we will recommend you to Hubei Provincial Museum. The treasure of the treasures in the Museum are the bamboo slips used in the Qin Dynasty, the Sword of Goujian, the Chime bells from the Tomb of Marquis Yi of the Zeng State, and the Blue and White plum vase of the four loves in Yuan Dynasty. It is worth mentioning that, the chime of Marquis Yi is the most complete one in China. You can enjoy the rare chime show if you are lucky enough.

6. Museum of the Western Han Dynasty Mausoleum of the Nanyue King

No.867 Jiefang North Road, Yuexiu District, Guangzhou 510030 China +86 20 3618 2920 http://www.gznywmuseum.com
Excellent
49%
Good
42%
Satisfactory
9%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 434 reviews

Museum of the Western Han Dynasty Mausoleum of the Nanyue King

Reviewed By SeeMoreLiveMore - Singapore, Singapore

An interesting place showcasing the history of the greater region before it became a part of China proper. Museum has many artefacts and is well-presented. The mausoleum on the grounds is simpler, but nonetheless, a good visit paired with the museum.

7. Kaiyuan Monastery

27 Xi Jie, Quanzhou China +86 595 2238 3285 http://www.qzdkys.com
Excellent
50%
Good
41%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 173 reviews

Kaiyuan Monastery

Reviewed By KodoDrummer - Yekaterinburg, Russia

Its roots go back to the Tang Dynasty, when it was first built in 686. Amazingly beautiful mulberry tree which is also believed to be 1,300 years old. This is a large temple complex with 120 buildings over a 89,000 square meter area. Lots of beautiful sculptures.

8. Gansu Provincial Museum

No.3 Xijin West Road, Qilihe District, Lanzhou 730000 China +86 931 234 6308 http://www.gansumuseum.com/
Excellent
45%
Good
46%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 124 reviews

Gansu Provincial Museum

9. Tianyi Library

No.5 Tianyi Street, Haizhu District, Ningbo 315000 China +86 574 8729 4832 http://www.tianyige.com.cn/
Excellent
54%
Good
37%
Satisfactory
9%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 324 reviews

Tianyi Library

Reviewed By ChooH60

An ancient library turns into museum, this place is so calm and peaceful. Best to go during off peak season as it will be extremely crowded.

10. Xinjiang Regional Museum (Qu Bowuguan)

No.132 Xibei Road, Urumqi 830000 China +86 991 455 2826 http://www.xjmuseum.com.cn
Excellent
53%
Good
38%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 251 reviews

Xinjiang Regional Museum (Qu Bowuguan)

Reviewed By KodoDrummer - Yekaterinburg, Russia

Informative history and ethnic diversity 12 minority groups. Human remains on display of a person who lived in the region over 10,000 years ago, and the mummified remains of men and women. Some where past generals, and one couple were believed to be lovers.

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