The Sichuan Museum is the largest comprehensive museum in southwestern China, located in the picturesque Huanghuaxi area, neighboring the Memorial Cottage of Du Fu. Its history began in 1941, when the museum was founded in Pixian County. Over the years, it has changed its name and location several times: in 1949 it became the "West Sichuan People`s Museum," and in 1952 — the "Sichuan Museum."
In 2001, a decision was made to build a new building in the scenic Huanghuaxi area, and in May 2009, the renovated museum opened its doors to visitors under its modern name "Sichuan Museum." In 2012, the museum received the status of a national first-level museum, and in 2024 it was included in the list of key museums jointly funded by the center and the province.
Today, the Sichuan Museum is a major cultural center, occupying an area of more than 58,000 square meters, of which exhibition spaces account for nearly 10,000 square meters. Its collections hold more than 350,000 exhibits, including over 70,000 particularly valuable relics. The museum building, designed with references to traditional Sichuan architecture, harmoniously fits into the surrounding landscape and includes 14 exhibition halls: 10 permanent exhibitions and 4 halls for temporary exhibitions.
Collections of the Sichuan Museum
The permanent exhibitions of the museum are divided into historical and thematic displays. The historical halls tell the history of Sichuan from prehistoric times to the Tang Dynasty and the Five Dynasties, covering the periods of Qin, Han, and the Three Kingdoms. The thematic exhibitions are dedicated to the ethnic cultures of Sichuan, decorative and applied arts, and the art of stone carving from the Han Dynasty.
Among the most striking areas of the collection:
• Bronze artifacts of the Ba-Shu period — unique ritual vessels, masks, and tools demonstrating the high level of craftsmanship of ancient civilizations.
• Paintings by Zhang Daqian — in the special "Dafengtang" hall on the second floor, more than 180 works by the famous native of Sichuan are displayed, including his famous lotuses and female portraits.
• Clay sculptures and reliefs from the Han Dynasty — rough and expressive works reflecting the daily life and beliefs of ancient people.
• Buddhist art — statues and stone carvings from Wanfo Temple, as well as a collection of Tibetan thangkas and ritual objects.
The Most Valuable Exhibits of the Sichuan Museum
Jade face from the Neolithic period — a unique black pendant of oval shape, found in 1959 in a child`s burial of the Daxi culture. On both sides are carved human faces with wide-open eyes and a mouth in the shape of the letter "O." This is the first known stone image of a human face from the Neolithic period in China, with an age of about 6,000 years.
Bronze vessel with an elephant head (Western Zhou period) — known as the "king of bronze," reaching 74 cm in height. Its shoulders are decorated with a three-dimensional elephant head, making it a rare example of zoomorphic decoration on ritual bronze.
Seven-stringed zither "Striking Ice in a Stone Stream" — one of about twenty surviving musical instruments from the Tang Dynasty in the world. Its value is estimated at tens of millions of yuan. The name hints at a sound like striking ice, and the cracks on the lacquered surface are a sure sign of authenticity and millennial age.
Stele of the Later Shu with the "Book of Songs" — fragments of stone slabs on which Confucian classics are engraved. These steles served as textbooks for the first state school in China and contained more than 1.4 million characters — the largest volume among all stone classics in Chinese history.
Terracotta performer from the Eastern Han period — a comic figurine with a bare torso, tilted head, and mischievous smile. This exhibit has become an internet meme and one of the museum`s main "calling cards."
Bronze vessel with scenes of land and sea battles (Warring States period) — on the surface of the vessel are engraved scenes of hunting, mulberry leaf gathering, feasts, and military actions involving more than 200 figures. This is a most valuable testimony to the development of sericulture and naval affairs in ancient Shu.
Photo Exhibition: Sights and Peoples of Sichuan
The museum regularly hosts photo exhibitions dedicated to the cultural and natural heritage of Sichuan Province. This is an opportunity to see the most remote and picturesque corners of the region without leaving the museum walls. The exhibitions feature photographs of famous places: majestic mountains, turquoise lakes of Jiuzhaigou, ancient Dujiangyan irrigation systems, Buddhist temples and Tibetan monasteries, as well as modern cities where skyscrapers coexist with traditional buildings.
A special place is occupied by photographs of the peoples of Sichuan. The province is home to many ethnic groups, including Han Chinese, Tibetans, Qiang, Yi, Miao, and others. The photographs capture their traditional costumes, rituals, festivals, and daily life. Here you can see bright Qiang embroidery, Tibetan prayer flags, the faces of elders with deep wrinkles, and the smiles of children — everything that makes up the living fabric of Sichuan`s multicultural heritage.
Practical Information
Entry to the museum is free, but advance registration is required through the official WeChat account, with tickets appearing one day before your visit. Upon entry, you must present your passport to obtain a ticket.
The museum is open from Tuesday to Sunday, Monday is closed, except for public holidays. Regular opening hours: from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, entry until 4:00 PM. During the summer period, the museum is open until 8:30 PM.
The museum is located at 251 South Huanghua Street, Qingyang District. The nearest metro station is Qingyanggong on Line 5, Exit D, about 700 meters on foot. Nearby are Du Fu`s Cottage, Huanghuaxi Park, and the Qingyanggong Taoist Temple — all these attractions can be visited in one day.
It is recommended to allocate at least 2–3 hours for visiting the museum, or better — half a day, to calmly walk through all the halls. On the first floor, you can get free commemorative stamps with the museum`s symbols.
The Sichuan Museum is a place where you can touch the thousand-year history of Bashu, see the rarest artifacts, and understand how one of the most vibrant regional cultures of China was born and developed.
