Museum

Han Dynasty (206B.C.-A.D.220) bronze oil lamp.

YANGZHOU museum is situated inside the 1500-year-old Tianning Temple, the only imposing historical architectural complex remaining in Yangzhou city proper. Covering an area of 12,000 square meters, Tianning Temple comprises an arch over a gateway, three magnificent main halls, and a dozen wing-rooms.

According to legend, Tianning Temple was originally a villa belonging to a high official, and was later transformed into a temple. It enjoyed a period of power and splendor, as when emperors Kangxi and Qianlong went to Yangzhou for sightseeing, they would stay at the temple. The main exhibits are displayed in the second main hall, and show the history of Yangzhou from the Neolithic Age right through to the Qing Dynasty, most impressively that of the three "golden" ages of the Han Dynasty, the Sui and Tang dynasties, and the Qing Dynasty.

Salt refining and the Grand Canal are integral aspects of the history of Yangzhou. It was during the Han Dynasty that the salt refining industry arose in Yangzhou, and 15 members of the nobility were enfeoffed here, which further promoted its development. The museum has on display historical relics unearthed in recent years, including pieces of Han Dynasty bronze ware, lacquer ware, and jade ware. According to legend, in order to enjoy the beauty of a rare flower, emperor Yangdi of the Sui Dynasty had the Grand Canal cut, at the cost of the lives of 2.5 million laborers, as well as a huge sum of money. The canal lined up the north and south, and made Yangzhou the pivot of water transport.

Tang Dynasty painted pottery figurine modeled after a dancing girl.

Most of the museum exhibits are from the Tang and Qing dynasties. Having one of the four largest harbors during the Tang Dynasty, Yangzhou developed handicraft workshops and its commerce flourished. The bronze mirrors it produced, which were hung in the imperial palace, enjoyed a particularly high reputation. According to historical records, in the Tang Dynasty, over 7,000 Arab merchants lived in Yangzhou. The museum houses their pottery, pieces of writing, and also daily- use utensils -- artifacts seldom seen elsewhere. As the then main salt distributing center during the Qing Dynasty, Yangzhou enjoyed a period of prosperity, which brought with it a cultural boom. This resulted in the formation of the Yangzhou School, along with a group of painters known as the Eight Eccentrics of Yangzhou, who broke away from conventions and revolted against narrow mindedness, and consequently had a deep influence on contemporary Chinese paintings.

To the west of the museum is the memorial to Marco Polo, who went to Yangzhou during the Yuan Dynasty and served as the top official, winning respect and appreciation from the local people.

Yuan Dynasty (1206-1368) sacrificial-blue glaze porcelain plum-blossom vase with a white dragon design, the biggest of its kind extant and in good condition.

If you have the chance to visit the Yangzhou Museum, do not miss the following treasures: a Han Dynasty jade pot for warding off evil, and a bronze oil lamp; a Sui Dynasty celadon chicken-head pot; and a Tang Dynasty painted pottery figurine modeled after a dancing girl. A Tang Dynasty dugout canoe, made out of a Nanmu tree trunk, is exhibited at the center of the museum. There is also a Yuan Dynasty sacrificial-blue glaze porcelain plum-blossom vase, the largest of its kind extant, in good condition, and a Ming Dynasty red clay teapot, whose style is named after its creator, Shi Dabin, a famous red clay teapot producer, whose works are seldom seen these days. Last but not least, there are works of painting and calligraphy by the Eight Eccentrics of Yangzhou.

The museum is open from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.

Add: Yanfu Xilu, two blocks from Wenchang Pavilion in the city center.