[2025 Shanghai Attraction] Travel Guide for Minhang Museum (Updated Mar)

#chinatransit During my transit in Beijing, I had the privilege of visiting the Minhang Museum. As I strolled through the exhibits, I was struck by the rich cultural heritage on display. The intricate artifacts, ancient relics, and historical documents all contributed to an immersive experience that left me feeling deeply connected to China's storied past. I felt cultured, enlightened, and inspired, with a newfound appreciation for the region's traditions and customs. The museum's tranquil atmosphere and thoughtful curation allowed me to reflect on the significance of the exhibits, leaving a lasting impression on my mind and heart.

The Zhenguan Mirror—A Grand Exhibition on the History and Culture of the Tang Dynasty will be held at the Minhang Museum from January 23 to May 5, 2025. This exhibition aims to showcase Emperor Taizong of Tang (Li Shimin) and the Zhenguan era of his reign. The Zhenguan era represents a period of political clarity, economic prosperity, and cultural flourishing in the early Tang Dynasty. It laid the foundation for the subsequent golden age of the Tang Dynasty and had a profound impact on Chinese and even world history. The exhibition is divided into four sections: The Founding of the Tang Dynasty, The Rise of Prosperity, The Splendor of the Silk Road, and The Legacy of a Flourishing Age. The exhibits span from the Northern Zhou Dynasty to the middle and late Tang Dynasty, including 132 pieces (sets) of cultural relics such as the epitaph of Yuchi Jingde, the Smiling Ladies, painted pottery figurines, and gilded silver pots. The exhibition presents the historical landscape of the early Tang Dynasty from various perspectives, including political systems, social customs, cultural exchanges, and historical evolution.

👍About the Attraction: I went to the Minhang Museum today to see the "Zhenguan Mirror - Thematic Exhibition of Tang Dynasty History and Culture." I arrived 15 minutes early, but there was already a long line of more than 100 people at the entrance. The cold wind was biting, but everyone in line had excited expressions on their faces. I learned from online information that the museum gives out a limited number of exquisite brochures to visitors every day, so some enthusiasts arrive an hour early to be first in line. The "Zhenguan Mirror - Thematic Exhibition of Tang Dynasty History and Culture" is being held at the Minhang Museum from January 23 to May 5, 2025. The exhibition is divided into four sections: "The Early Tang Dynasty," "The Rise of Prosperity," "Splendor of the Silk Road," and "Legacy of a Flourishing Age." Through 132 precious cultural relics (sets), it vividly recreates the reign of Zhenguan, a golden age established by Emperor Taizong of Tang (Li Shimin). Chairman Mao wrote in his poems about "Emperor Qin, Emperor Wu of Han, Emperor Taizong of Tang, and Emperor Taizu of Song." Emperor Taizong of Tang (Li Shimin) is one of the most famous emperors in ancient Chinese history. His life encompassed both the tragedy of the Xuanwu Gate Incident and the prosperity of the Zhenguan era. If you want to learn more about this emperor who led China to the peak of the world at that time, you can visit this exhibition. Reliefs of the Six Steeds of Zhaoling are displayed at the entrance of the exhibition. The Six Steeds of Zhaoling were the six warhorses of Li Shimin, who died in several key battles. Li Shimin personally wrote "praises" for them and had their images carved in bluestone to commemorate those turbulent years and demonstrate his ambition and determination to create the Zhenguan era. The exhibition also features some gilded and painted figurines of civil and military officials. The civil officials hold tablets, and the military officials are clad in armor, vividly showcasing the images of Tang Dynasty officials. These figurines reflect the emphasis on both civil and military affairs, and the unity of the emperor and his ministers during the Zhenguan period. They are a vivid representation of the political system and bureaucratic structure of the Tang Dynasty. In addition to the cultural relics, the exhibition organizers have also meticulously presented various aspects of Tang Dynasty society, striving to provide visitors with a comprehensive understanding of life during the prosperous Tang Dynasty. For example, there are introductions to tea, wine, and cooking methods; the overall layout of Chang'an City, including the distribution of the imperial palace and residential areas; and diagrams illustrating the makeup sequence of Tang Dynasty women. It's as if you've stepped into Chang'an City and witnessed its splendor in a single day. 📍Address: No. 1538 Xinzhen Road, Minhang District, Shanghai 🚗Transportation: Subway: Take Metro Line 10 to Hangzhong Road Station, Exit 3, and walk 700 meters. Car: Navigate to "Minhang Culture Park." Parking is available in the underground parking lot of the Culture Park or at the parking lots near Gate 2/Gate 3. 🎟Tickets: Free admission, no reservation required. 💗Other Tips: Open Tuesday to Sunday from 09:30 to 16:30 (last entry at 16:00), closed on Mondays. It's close to the Shanghai Mass Culture Museum, the Powerlong Art Museum, and Qibao Ancient Town, so you can plan a day trip to visit them all.

The recent "Zhenguanjian" at Minhang Museum is an exhibition showcasing the Zhenguan Reign of Emperor Taizong of Tang, Li Shimin. Most of the exhibits come from the Zhaoling Museum, and even the "eye-catching" cross-eyed military officer figurines have come to Shanghai. There are not many exhibits, but they are all very exquisite, especially the pair of civil and military official figurines unearthed from Zhang Shigui’s tomb. They are so beautiful! I remember that when I went to the Zhaoling Museum three or four years ago, I had never seen this pair of gilded and painted civil and military official figurines exhibited together. In the Zhaoling Museum, only the civil official figurines were exhibited, and they were placed in a display window against the wall. This time in the Min Museum, it is a 360-degree display window, and it turns out that the back is also very colorful! Especially the military officer figurines, every detail is so amazing! Minhang Museum has two free tours a day (10 a.m. and 2 p.m.), but there are a lot of people on weekdays, and the tour guide was surrounded by three layers of people. He couldn't hear clearly and gave up later. It has to be said that Li Shimin is the traffic code. Even though the mythical beast has returned to its cage after the Spring Festival, there are still many people. The people of Shanghai are rushing to have a date with Li Shimin. Exhibition period: From now until May 5, 2025

Zhen Guan Jian - Tang Dynasty History and Culture Exhibition January 23, 2025 - May 5, 2025 Minhang Museum The exhibition is divided into four parts: "The Establishment of the Tang Dynasty," "The Prosperity of the People," "The Splendor of the Silk Road," and "The Legacy of the Golden Age." It features 132 (sets) of cultural relics from the Northern Zhou Dynasty to the mid and late Tang Dynasty, including the epitaph of Yuchi Jingde, the Smiling Lady, painted pottery figurines, and gilded silver pots. It first tells the story of the early Tang Dynasty, when Li Shimin inherited the throne and began the Zhen Guan Reign. Then, it shows the prosperity of the Tang Dynasty in terms of food, clothing, commerce, leisure activities, and culture. It also depicts the prosperity of trade between the East and the West brought by the Silk Road, and the harmony and integration of various ethnic groups. Finally, it writes about the end of the glorious era, and how the Zhen Guan Reign laid the foundation for the prosperity of the Tang Dynasty.

Zhen Guan Zhi Zhi is a period of political clarity, economic prosperity, and cultural brilliance created by Emperor Taizong of Tang, Li Shimin, in the early Tang Dynasty. The "Zhen Guan Jian - Tang Dynasty History and Culture Exhibition" condenses this period of history into four chapters, bringing the audience back to the Tang Dynasty a thousand years ago in the museum exhibition hall full of Tang style. . 🌟Visiting Route: The exhibition is divided into four parts: "The Beginning of the Tang Dynasty", "The Prosperity of the People", "The Splendor of the Silk Road", and "The Legacy of the Peaceful Era". The first part mainly tells the story of the early Tang Dynasty, when Li Shimin inherited the throne and started the Zhen Guan Zhi Zhi, showing a scene of both civil and military prosperity. The second part shows the prosperous scene from the aspects of food, clothing, commerce, leisure activities, and culture and art. The third part depicts the prosperity and integration of East-West trade brought by the Silk Road. The fourth part writes the end of the glorious era, and Zhen Guan Zhi Zhi laid the foundation for the prosperity of the Tang Dynasty. . ❤Highlights: ✔️The exhibition spans from the Northern Zhou Dynasty to the mid-late Tang Dynasty, including 132 pieces (sets) of cultural relics such as the epitaph of Yuchi Jingde, the smiling lady, painted pottery figurines, and gilded silver pots. ✔️A total of 48 first-class cultural relics are on display, including the epitaph of Yuchi Jingde, gilded painted pottery figurines of military officers, gilded painted pottery figurines of civil officials, tri-colored female horse figurines, white pottery horse figurines, white porcelain Bi Yong inkstones, pottery Chi Wei, painted heavenly king figurines, painted pottery tomb guardian beasts, sunflower-edged bronze mirrors, gilded silver pots, mandarin duck pomegranate pattern gold boxes, yellow ground drinking brocade, and other "treasures of the museum". ✔️In the preface hall, the exhibition displays the reliefs of the Six Steeds of Zhaoling, which are the opening chapter of the epic of the Li Tang Dynasty's creation and unification of the world. The original pieces are now in the Xi'an Beilin Museum and the United States. . 📝Tips: Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday (closed on Mondays) 9:30–16:30 (last admission at 16:00)

💗On the first day of the New Year, I went to Minhang Museum to see the Zhen Guan Jian Exhibition for free. It is another New Year exhibition at Minhang Museum, which always has high-quality exhibitions. 💗The whole scene is very grand, with a prosperous look. There are 132 exquisite cultural relics on display, including 48 first-class cultural relics, which are very worth seeing. I saw Tang Sancai and many other good things. ⏰Exhibition period: January 24, 2025–May 5, 2025

Exhibition Name: Zhen Guan Jian - Tang Dynasty History and Culture Exhibition Exhibition Venue: Shanghai Minhang Museum Public Transport: Metro Line 10, Hangzhong Road Station Exhibition Dates: January 3 to May 5, 2025 Exhibition Tickets: Free, reservation via official account Exhibition Introduction: The exhibition brings together 132 exhibits/groups from 13 cultural and museum institutions, divided into four sections: "The Beginning of the Tang Dynasty," "The Initial Prosperity," "The Splendor of the Silk Road," and "The Legacy of the Peaceful Era," providing a multi-angle and comprehensive analysis of the "Zhen Guan Rule." Foggy Words: Minhang Museum's first exhibition of the new year is grand in scale, with a rich variety of exhibits and many highlights. The vivid expressions of the stone and clay sculptures are an interesting highlight, and the scrolling display of the Twenty-Four Meritorious Officials on the screen has a nostalgic feel of reading picture books as a child.

Minhang Museum is located at No. 1538 Xinzhen Road, Minhang District, Shanghai. It is a local comprehensive museum that officially opened on March 24, 2003, and is free to visit. The museum has three exhibition halls: the 700 Years of Shanghai County Exhibition, the Maqiao Culture Exhibition, and the Chinese National Musical Instrument Culture Exhibition, mainly displaying cultural relics such as stone tools, bone tools, and pottery from the Maqiao Culture period unearthed at the Maqiao site. Minhang Museum is also a patriotic education base in Shanghai and a national science popularization education base, with rich collections and diverse exhibitions. The museum has distinctive architectural features and an elegant environment. It is adjacent to Minhang Cultural Park, and there is also the Haipai Art Museum nearby, making it a great place for leisure, entertainment, and learning.

Exhibition name: Confucius Culture Theme Exhibition Time: 2024/9.28-12.15 Location: Minhang Museum Free exhibition, no reservation required The exhibition is divided into three parts: "The Era of Confucius," "Tracing Back a Thousand Years," and "The Wisdom of the Sage," showcasing 107 exquisite cultural relics from the Confucius Museum. The exhibition focuses on Confucius' life and deeds, interpreting Confucius' life through his experiences and thoughts.

The 700 Years of Shanghai County exhibition is perfect for those who want to learn more about the city. It tells the story of the rise and fall of Shanghai County over the years. Whether you're a native or a newcomer, you may not be familiar with the city's history. This exhibition will help you learn about the origins of Shanghai and the history of its development. It also shows how Shanghai County has changed over the past 700 years, as well as the production, lifestyle, and cultural achievements of the people who lived here.

Confucius Said - Confucius Culture Theme Exhibition Minhang District Museum and Confucius Museum in Shandong have joined forces to present 107 exquisite cultural relics in Minhang on Confucius' birthday. The exhibition allows visitors to get up close and personal with Confucian culture. The exhibition is divided into three thematic units: "The Era of the Master", "Tracing the Millennium", and "The Wisdom of the Sage". Through a total of 107 selected cultural relics, including the image of Confucius in his later years and the sacred relics of the Ming Dynasty, the exhibition expounds on the core Confucian thoughts of Confucius' establishment of Confucianism and his promotion of benevolent politics. It explores and displays the background of the era in which Confucius lived, his life trajectory, and the profound influence of his thoughts on later generations and the world. The carefully arranged exhibition layout and diverse exhibits will lead visitors through a thousand years of time to experience Confucian culture up close. The exhibition brings together a large number of precious cultural relics from the old collection of the Confucius Mansion. Thanks to the respect and protection of the rulers of the past dynasties, the Confucius Mansion has been able to preserve many treasures despite the changes of dynasties. Since 12 emperors and 19 visits to Qufu to worship Confucius, the Confucius Mansion has been known as the "first family in the world". Its handed down cultural relics not only reflect the profound cultural heritage and family style of Confucius' descendants, but also vividly present the unique style and historical imprint of multiple eras. The rare collections of the Warring States Period, such as the bronze cane head with gold and silver double beasts swallowing birds, the image of Confucius in his later years, and the sacred relics of the Ming Dynasty, the bronze tripod of Lu Zhongqi, the enamel beast face pattern of the Qing Dynasty, and the box of the imperial edict of Fengtian, etc., the exhibits show the profound and profound influence of Confucian culture from multiple perspectives and in all directions, presenting a cultural feast that transcends time and space for the audience. 2024.9.28-2024.12.15

A themed exhibition about traditional Chinese musical instruments. Traditional Chinese musical instruments have shone in the thousands of years of Chinese civilization. In this exhibition, you can see different types of musical instruments from different periods of thousands of years, from the pre-Qin ritual music culture to the Ming and Qing folk music culture, and savor the culture and elegance of different times and regions. 📍Address: 1st Floor, No. 1538, Xinzhen Road, Minhang District, Shanghai 🚗Transportation: Exit 3 of Hangzhong Road Station on Subway Line 10 🎟️Ticket: Free admission without reservation

◾️First of all, there is no "treasure box" - the Fengtian Decree Box that is popular on the internet for the Confucius Culture Exhibition. Because I didn't buy it, haha, I heard that there was stock a few days after National Day, plus the weather. ▪️As usual, I bought a fridge magnet related to the theme at the end, I just love cultural and creative fridge magnets, they are meaningful souvenirs‼️ ◾️It is a fridge magnet from the Confucius "Six Arts" theme series, one of them, there are four in total, I chose this and that, I chose the guqin style at the beginning, and finally chose the first picture, because I found that I really like the scene on the brown carriage. ◾️There are so many, many fridge magnets for the Confucius Culture Theme Exhibition this time. I took a picture of the mini version of the museum collection fridge magnet - Ming blue gauze woven dark flower python robe, and the cultural and creative fridge magnet of the Ming 13-year Wanli Exhibition, and the cultural and creative products of the Haihunhou Exhibition are also on sale. In addition to fridge magnets, there are many other cultural and creative products, such as stamp books, dolls, cultural and creative keychains, cultural and creative badges, etc. 🎈Confucius Culture Theme Exhibition ⏰9.28-12.15, 🎫Free, no appointment required 📍Minhang Museum, 1538 Xinzhen Road, Minhang District, Shanghai ☑️Time: Tuesday to Sunday (closed on Monday): Holiday notice 9:30-16:30, (entry is stopped at 16:00)

Minhang Museum has a new idea, Confucius culture theme exhibition Cultural relics are basically old collections from the Confucius Museum The Confucius Museum is also a national first-class museum I feel that the scale is not very large this time, and there are no particularly heavy weapons But there are quite a few interesting things ❤️Top stream: Fengtian Decree Box Enamel crane foot stove with silk thread Gold and silver double beast bird copper cane head Bamboo root carving lotus crab ornaments Ming Tianqi ivory tablet 🎀There are several new cultural creations The decree box, the blind box, the decree inside is different Little yellow horse, did not see the original cultural relics on display Ding Sheng cake, pink and cute, Shanghai limited

This summer, the special exhibitions at these two museums in the Magic City unveil the mysterious veil of the Zhongshan Kingdom from over two thousand years ago with exquisite Han Dynasty artifacts. The first King of Zhongshan, Liu Sheng, had a noble status. His father was Emperor Jing of Han, who initiated the 'Rule of Wen and Jing'. Liu Sheng was conferred the title of the first King of Zhongshan of the Western Han Dynasty in his teens and reigned for 42 years, making him the longest-reigning King of Zhongshan in the Western Han Dynasty. His queen, Dou Wan, was a member of the clan of Empress Dowager Dou, the mother of Emperor Jing of Han. The royal couple enjoyed a life of luxury and wealth. In 1968, the tombs of King Jing and Queen Dou Wan were accidentally discovered in Mancheng District, Baoding, Hebei Province. The discovery of tens of thousands of precious artifacts in the tombs shocked the world. Coincidentally, many artifacts unearthed from the tomb of King Jing and other Kings of Zhongshan are currently on display at the Minhang Museum in the Magic City, while the most important artifact unearthed from Queen Dou Wan's tomb, the Changxin Palace Lantern, is on display at the Fengxian Museum. Take the opportunity to visit these exquisite artifacts from the Zhongshan Kingdom over two thousand years ago before the end of August. 📷 Fengxian Museum 'Ingenious Creations - Essence of Ancient Chinese Technological Artifacts' Exhibition The Changxin Palace Lantern is on display until August 30. 📷 Minhang Museum 'The Great Han Dynasty - Exquisite Artifacts of the Han Royal Family' Exhibition On display until August 25.

Minhang District Museum collaborates with Hebei Museum and Hebei Provincial Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology to bring this special exhibition. The exhibition mainly features artifacts unearthed from the royal tombs of the Zhongshan Kingdom during the Han Dynasty. These artifacts not only reflect the luxurious life of the Han Dynasty's vassal kings but also mirror the prosperity and splendor of the entire Han society. The exhibition is divided into two parts: 'Zhongshan Kingship' and 'Endless Happiness'. The first part focuses on the lives of the successive Zhongshan kings, showcasing the grandeur of the Han Dynasty's vassal kings through their clothing, food, and utensils. The second part delves into the spiritual world of the people of that time, using jade as a medium to convey the upper class's pursuit of immortality and eternity during the Han Dynasty. Every exhibition visit is a spiritual cleansing, always marveling at the lives of ancient people from thousands of years ago. After the visit, you can browse the cultural and creative products and take home your favorite items. 🎫 The Great Han Dynasty - Exquisite Artifacts of the Han Royal Family Exhibition ⏰ Exhibition Period: From now until August 25 📍 Address: No. 1538 Xinzhen Road, Minhang District

The incense burner is a device for burning incense, which appeared no later than the Warring States period and became popular during the Han Dynasty. The materials include pottery, bronze, and porcelain, and the styles can be divided into cover bean shape, Boshan shape, traveling stove shape, tripod shape, and bird shape. The Boshan burner was a popular incense burner style during the Han Dynasty, but it was not called by this name at the time. From the excavated artifacts of the Han Dynasty, it can be seen that its 'self-inscription' only refers to it as an 'incense burner.' The name 'Boshan burner' is said to originate from its shape, with wisps of blue smoke slowly emerging from the intricately carved mountain-shaped lid, swirling around the furnace body adorned with cloud patterns, figures, and birds and beasts, creating an effect of misty mountains and floating beasts. This matched the contemporary imagination of fairy mountains over the sea. Additionally, legends say that Zhao Wuling King and Qin Zhaowang of the Warring States period had extraordinary experiences playing chess with celestial beings on mountains. Later generations associated these mountains with immortality and thus named the incense burner resembling fairy mountains as 'Boshan burner.' Another theory is that the name comes from its place of origin, Boshan District in Zibo City, Shandong Province, west of Penglai, which is full of mountains with almost no flat land. It was an important production area for ancient Chinese ceramics and kilns and the original place of the Boshan burner. The incense used in the burner was mainly mugwort, also known as sweetgrass or fragrant grass. There was also a method of mixing medicinal materials such as galangal and magnolia with mugwort for burning. During the Han Dynasty, various precious spices were gradually introduced into China. During Emperor Wu's reign, camphor from Sumatra was imported via sea routes from the South China Sea. After opening up the Western Regions, storax from Asia Minor and Syria was also introduced to China through the Silk Road. By the Three Kingdoms period, the Central Plains region had begun using various Western spices such as dittany, myrrh, frankincense, white aconite, benzoin, turmeric, and gum resin. The Boshan burner appears in many ancient poems and essays. Xiao Tong, the crown prince of the Southern Liang Dynasty and editor of the 'Selected Works of Zhaoming,' wrote a poem titled 'Ode to the Bronze Boshan Incense Burner': 'With sweetgrass hidden in the rocks, and the rainbow garments ascending to immortality. Depicting the rugged peaks of Mount Song, resembling the lush forests of Denglin. At that time, the blue smoke controlled the cold, and the evening light dimmed the scene. The emerald curtains were already lowered, and the orchid oil was not yet extinguished. The inner brilliance steamed, and the fragrance spread outward. Like auspicious clouds presenting colors, like the bright star spreading light.' Liu Xiang, a Western Han nobleman and renowned Confucian scholar, wrote in his 'Inscription on the Boshan Burner': 'Admire this royal aura, towering like a mountain. It penetrates the Taihua, supported by a bronze plate. Inside, there is orchid brocade, red fire, and blue smoke.' 👁 Figure 1-2: Boshan Burner with Rider and Beast (Western Han) Total height: 32.3 cm Excavated from the tomb of Dou Wan, wife of Liu Sheng, Prince Jing of Zhongshan, in Mancheng in 1968 This Boshan burner has a base with a rider and beast. The lid is divided into two layers; the upper layer casts mountains and clouds, with scenes of tigers and bears roaming, human-beast fights, and people driving ox carts; the lower layer casts dragons, tigers, vermilions, camels, as well as patterns of plants and clouds.

The daily life of Han Dynasty aristocrats was extremely luxurious. Sima Xiangru provided a detailed description of this in his 'Rhapsody on the Beautiful Woman': 'The bedding is laid out, the attire and accessories are exquisite, the gold incense burners emit fragrance, the embroidered curtains hang low, the layered mattresses are arranged, and the horn pillows are placed horizontally.' Now, let us appreciate some exquisite artifacts from the Han Dynasty, such as bear-shaped footrests, deer ornaments, tiger-shaped weights, and vermilion bird decorations, through the 'Splendor of the Han Dynasty: Exquisite Artifacts from the Han Royal Family' exhibition at the Minhang Museum. 1. Bronze Footrest with Bear and Vermilion Bird (Western Han Dynasty) - Figures 1-2 Height: 11.6 cm, unearthed in 1968 from the tomb of Liu Sheng, Prince Jing of Zhongshan, in Mancheng This artifact is shaped like a bear stepping on a vermilion bird. The bear is crouching with its right forelimb raised as if holding something, its left forelimb resting on its left hind limb, with a bulging belly, arched back, and curled tail. The vermilion bird is crouching with its head raised and long tail lifted. Two identical pieces were unearthed. It is speculated that this item was originally part of a lacquered wooden object, which has decayed over time, leaving only the bronze footrest preserved. Coincidentally, a year and three months later, in October 1969, a bronze artifact was unearthed from the Leitai Han Tomb in Wuwei, Gansu Province. This artifact depicts a horse galloping with three legs in the air and one leg stepping over a flying bird. Experts named it 'Bronze Galloping Horse,' but it is more commonly known as 'Horse Stepping on a Flying Swallow.' In 1983, it was designated as the symbol of Chinese tourism by the National Tourism Administration; in 2002, it was listed by the State Administration of Cultural Heritage as one of the first batch of cultural relics prohibited from being exhibited abroad; it is now the treasure of the Gansu Provincial Museum. 2. Gilded Bronze Deer Ornament (Western Han Dynasty) - Figures 3-5 Height: 6.2 cm, Length: 12.3 cm, unearthed in 1968 from the tomb of Liu Sheng, Prince Jing of Zhongshan, in Mancheng The deer is depicted with its head raised and looking to the left, with two long antlers, a slender body, and short limbs in a walking posture. The details are engraved with fine lines. The entire body is gilded. Each of the four hooves has a small hole, and the body is hollow with an irregular round hole on the left side containing remnants of decayed wood. Two identical pieces were unearthed. 3. Bronze Tiger-shaped Weight Inlaid with Gold and Silver (Eastern Han Dynasty) - Figure 6 Height: 4.8 cm, unearthed in 1959 from the tomb of Liu Yan, Prince Jian of Zhongshan, in Dingzhou The weight is a household item used to hold down mats. This weight is shaped like a tiger, with gold and silver inlaid patterns on its body and head. The tiger is depicted with its head raised, limbs bent, body curled, and lying in a crouched position with a flat bottom. Besides tigers, weights were also made in the shapes of various animals such as leopards, sheep, deer, turtles, and snakes. Mats were commonly used in Han Dynasty households, and weights were placed at the four corners of the mat to prevent it from moving when people stood up or sat down. 4. Gilded Bronze Vermilion Bird Ornament (Eastern Han Dynasty) - Figures 7-8 Unearthed in 1959 from the tomb of Liu Yan, Prince Jian of Zhongshan, in Dingzhou The Vermilion Bird, Black Tortoise, Azure Dragon, and White Tiger are the four deities of ancient Chinese mythology, known as the 'Four Symbols,' with the Vermilion Bird representing the south. With the prevalence of Huang-Lao thought and the Five Elements theory, the Four Symbols were widely used as auspicious mythical creatures in artistic decorations from the Han Dynasty onwards. Gilding involves applying a gold-mercury amalgam to the surface of a bronze object and heating it to evaporate the mercury, leaving the gold adhered to the surface. This gilded bronze Vermilion Bird was likely an ornament attached to another object, as indicated by the tenon and nail holes at the ends of its claws.

The Hebei Museum, in collaboration with the Hebei Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology, has brought the national treasure, the Jade Burial Suit Sewn with Gold Wire, to Shanghai for an exhibition. Exhibition Dates: 6.25-8.25 Location: Minhang Museum Before July 30th, Minhang Museum will distribute 100 exhibition brochures daily. Those who can should try to go early. I arrived at the exhibition hall around 10:30 AM, and they were already gone. Most of the items on display are from the royal tombs of the Zhongshan Kingdom during the Han Dynasty. There are two main themes: the Enfeoffment of Zhongshan and Eternal Joy. The first theme mainly introduces the origin of the Zhongshan Kingdom, a vassal state during the Han Dynasty, and the history of its kings, showcasing various utensils related to daily life. The second part focuses on jade artifacts and burial items, demonstrating the Han Dynasty's belief in "serving the dead as if they were alive" through lavish burials. The two most eye-catching treasures in the exhibition are, of course, the Jade Burial Suit Sewn with Gold Wire and the royal tent frame. Seeing the ancient camping equipment, I thought of the emperors and generals who once strategized here, and it felt like our lives intersected across time and space at that moment. The exhibition is not large, and an hour is enough to see everything. Currently, there are no free guides, so if you want a printed brochure, you need to arrive early. Lastly, I must commend the quality of the cultural relic souvenirs. I casually bought a Changxin Palace Lantern fridge magnet as a keepsake. Those who love cultural relic merchandise should not miss it.

Minhang District Museum, in collaboration with Hebei Museum and Hebei Provincial Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology, presents 'The Great Han Dynasty Unending - Exhibition of Exquisite Artifacts from the Han Dynasty Royal Family.' A total of 128 exquisite artifacts (sets) from Hebei Museum and Hebei Provincial Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology are on display for the audience. The artifacts exhibited in this exhibition mainly come from the tombs of the royal family of the Zhongshan Kingdom during the Han Dynasty. The Zhongshan Kingdom of the Han Dynasty was first enfeoffed during the reign of Emperor Jing, experiencing several interruptions, and lasted for more than three hundred years. A large number of exquisite artifacts were unearthed from the tombs of successive princes such as Liu Sheng, King Jing of Zhongshan, Liu Xiu, King Huai of Zhongshan, and Liu Yan, King Jian of Zhongshan. The exhibition is divided into two parts: 'Enfeoffment of Zhongshan' and 'Endless Joy.' The first part focuses on the lives of successive kings of Zhongshan, showcasing the grandeur and majesty of the Han Dynasty princes through their clothing, food, and utensils. The second part delves into the spiritual world of the people of the time, using jade as a medium to convey the pursuit of immortality and eternity by the upper class of the Han Dynasty. Exhibition Dates: June 25, 2024 - August 25, 2024

| Minhang Museum (1934). The exhibition 'The Great Han Dynasty - Exhibition of Fine Artifacts from the Han Dynasty Royal Family' opened at the Minhang District Museum. This exhibition focuses on the tombs of the royal family of the Zhongshan Kingdom during the Han Dynasty, showcasing 128 artifacts (sets) unearthed from the Mancheng Han Tombs (the tomb of King Jing of Zhongshan, Liu Sheng, and his wife), the tomb of King Huai of Zhongshan, Liu Xiu, and the tomb of King Jian of Zhongshan, Liu Yan from the Eastern Han Dynasty. From tents and crossbows to gold artifacts, jade artifacts, and jade suits, these precious artifacts demonstrate the culture, economy, and craftsmanship of the Han Dynasty.

Exhibition Name: 'The Eternal Han Dynasty - Exquisite Artifacts of the Han Royal Family' Date: 6/25-8/25 Location: Minhang Museum The exhibition is free and no reservation is required. The artifacts on display in this exhibition are mainly unearthed from the royal tombs of the Zhongshan Kingdom during the Han Dynasty. The exhibition is divided into two parts: 'The Kings of Zhongshan' and 'Eternal Joy'. The first part focuses on the lives of the successive kings of Zhongshan, showcasing the grandeur of the Han Dynasty's vassal kings through their clothing and utensils. The second part delves into the spiritual world of the people at that time, using jade as a medium to convey the upper class's pursuit of immortality and eternity during the Han Dynasty. After visiting the exhibition, you can also go to the cultural and creative products area to pick your favorite exhibition-related items. Such a wonderful exhibition is free of charge, so exhibition enthusiasts should not miss it!

✨ The Minhang District Museum has kicked off Shanghai's summer cultural exhibition tour, this time in collaboration with the Hebei Museum and the Hebei Provincial Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology to present the 'Grand Han Dynasty - The Essence of the Han Royal Family Exhibition', to appreciate the grandeur and boldness of the Han Dynasty. · 🎨 'Grand Han Dynasty - The Essence of the Han Royal Family Exhibition' ⏱2024.6.25-8.25 · ✅ I arrived one hour after the exhibition opened on the first day, by which time I had already missed the daily limited distribution of cultural and creative handbooks. Of course, the museum was quite lively on the first day of the exhibition, with media, staff, and more importantly, citizens of all ages. I was also fortunate to see the museum's little brother Di being surrounded and attacked, with everyone listening to his explanations with great interest. ❇️ Hebei is one of the birthplaces of the Chinese nation, and this time the relics from afar are mainly from the royal tombs of the Han Dynasty's Zhongshan State, including those of Zhongshan Jing King Liu Sheng, Zhongshan Huai King Liu Xiu, Zhongshan Jian King Liu Yan, and other princes of various dynasties. 📝 The entire exhibition hall is divided into three spaces, 'Zhongshan Enthronement' and 'Changle Weiyang' are two parts. From clothing, food, utensils, and other objects, as well as the 'jade' as a medium, the spiritual world of the people at that time is reflected. And the biggest highlight is undoubtedly the gilt bronze-threaded jade garment, which highlights the material favor received by Zhongshan Jian King Liu Yan from Emperor Guangwu, using the material of silver thread that was only allowed at the time, and specially using gilt bronze thread. ▶ Past special exhibitions at the Minhang Museum: ▪ 'Han Dynasty - Wuji: The Essence of Mawangdui Relics Exhibition' ▪ 'Northern Frontier Echoes - The Essence of Ordos Bronze Ware Exhibition' ▪ 'The Year of Wanli - The Special Exhibition of Wanli Relics from the Ming Dynasty Tombs' ▪ 'Encounter with the Marquis of Haihun - The Essence of Western Han Dynasty Liu He's Tomb Exhibition' 📍1538 Xinzhen Road, Minhang District, Shanghai 🚇 Subway Line 9 Qibao Station ⏱9:00-17:00 💰Free

The Marquis of Haihun exhibition at the Minhang Museum is truly breathtaking! The exhibits are rich and varied, each telling the story of the ancient nobility's splendor and luxury. The artifacts unearthed from the tomb of the Marquis of Haihun are not only exquisitely crafted but also reveal a profound historical and cultural heritage. Through this exhibition, I deeply felt the breadth and depth of Chinese culture, and I cherish even more the precious heritage of our nation. This visit was very rewarding, and I gained a deeper understanding and knowledge of history and culture. Please remember to bring your ID card for a free rental of the audio guide.～

Maqiao culture dates back to 3900-3200 years ago, it is an early Bronze Age culture in the Yangtze River Delta region, and an important source of Wu Yue culture, corresponding to the Xia and Shang periods in the Central Plains. Shanghai was formerly known as Huating Hai, also called Shangyang or Sea on the Sea. In 751, Huating County was established during the Tang Dynasty, and by the Northern Song Dynasty, Shanghai had its own bureau for managing liquor taxes. During the Southern Song Dynasty, Shanghai Town was established along with its maritime trade office. In the twenty-ninth year of the Yuan Dynasty's Zhiyuan era (1292), Shanghai became a county under the jurisdiction of Songjiang Prefecture, serving as a base for grain transportation. By the 16th century, Shanghai County had become the largest cotton textile center in the country. In 1554, Shanghai County built city walls for defense, and the county seat was thereafter known as 'Old City'. In 1928, the Shanghai Special Municipality was established, and Shanghai County became a suburban county, later becoming a production base for agricultural and sideline products and an industrial satellite city for Shanghai. The prosperity of Shanghai during the Qing Dynasty relied on the enduring sand boat industry, with sand boats having a low bow and high stern on the water. After the maritime ban was lifted, Shanghai quickly became an important distribution center for goods from the north, south, and abroad, as well as a major national trading port. Shanghai, where people from all directions gathered and merchants flocked, thus expanded and prospered. During the Ming and Qing dynasties, Shanghai mainly served as a transit port for Suzhou, exporting cotton cloth and cotton to all parts of the country, especially the north, and importing soybeans, soybean cakes, and soybean oil from the north. In 1843, Shanghai opened its port, and with the eastward spread of Western influence, factories, banks, schools, and bookstores emerged one after another. Qibao area spanned both Huating and Shanghai counties and was a natural water and land wharf. At the end of the Yuan and the beginning of the Ming dynasties, Qibao Town became famous for the convergence of five teachings. During the Jiajing and Wanli periods of the Ming Dynasty, Qibao Town thrived increasingly due to cotton trade and the strategic location on the grain transportation route. Minhang Old Town is located in the ancient Ganghai region, free from the troubles of drought and flood, and is a strategic thoroughfare, hence the proverb 'Three generations repair to live, home is in front of Minhang'. Wuhui Town is now in Wuhui Village, Maqiao Township, commonly known as Wuhui Street. Due to its proximity to the Huangpu River mouth and the convergence of various waters, it was called Wuhui. Later generations, inspired by the phrase 'pointing to Wuhui in the clouds', changed the name to Wuhui. There is a local saying, 'Wuhui existed before Maqiao'. During the Song Dynasty, a liquor warehouse was established in Wuhui. After the Zhi Zheng era of the Yuan Dynasty, the Shanghai County Zoucheng Inspection Office was set up here, and it was as famous as the towns of Wunijing and Qinglong at that time. During the Hongzhi period of the Ming Dynasty, it was called Wuhui Town, which was destroyed during the Jiajing period due to Japanese pirates. In the Tongzhi era of the Qing Dynasty, it was called Wuhui Market, which had declined by then, except for the bustling temple fair at Jingtusi on the twenty-fourth day of the sixth lunar month.

In the 1850s, Shanghai replaced Guangzhou as the center of China's foreign trade, and the shipping industry thrived with the development of trade. Foreign firms and shipping companies established by foreigners competed to open ocean-going, coastal, and Yangtze River routes. In 1897, the first modern Chinese merchant bank—China Merchants Bank—was established in Shanghai. Under the advocacy of Li Hongzhang, the first modern industry in China, the Jiangnan Manufacturing Bureau, was founded, which was also the earliest military enterprise in China to use machine production. As the city with the fastest urbanization process in China, Shanghai's municipal development was almost in sync with that of developed Western countries. The Sincere Company, Wing On Department Store, Sun Sun Department Store, and Da Sun Department Store were collectively known as the 'Four Great Companies' of Shanghai. In 1928, Shanghai officially implemented the separation of city and county governance. The earliest public education museum in Shanghai County was the County Minhang Public Education Museum, established in 1928. In 1929, Niu Yongjian founded the Yutang Public Education Museum. The Guangci Orphanage was founded in 1917. The Shanghai Puci Sanatorium, established in 1935, was one of the largest and most well-equipped psychiatric hospitals in the Far East at the time. In 1932, Shanghai's first car ferry, the 'Jinghang', was put into operation at the Minhang Ferry Terminal, marking the beginning of the official vehicle ferry service in the country. Li Yingshi founded the Shanghai Minnan Zhe Long-Distance Bus Co., Ltd., raising funds to build the Shanghai Minnan Zhe Highway, which was the first commercial long-distance bus transportation line in the country.

Wusong River, before the Tang and Song dynasties, was the main channel for discharging floods from Tai Lake, and its downstream river channel that flows into the sea was called by the ancients 'Hù Dú'. The so-called Hù was a type of fishing gear widely spread in the waters of Songjiang, and Shanghai's abbreviation 'Hù' comes from this. Huangpu is a tributary of the Wusong River. During the Warring States period, Lord Chunshen of the Chu state, Huang Xie, was enfeoffed here, and later generations associated Huangpu with his excavation, hence Shanghai's other name 'Shēn' is also derived from this. In the seventh year of the Qiandao era of the Southern Song Dynasty (1171), Qiu Chun, the magistrate of Huating County, mentioned in the water conservancy records that there was a Huangpu Pond to the northeast of Huating County, marking the first appearance of the name Huangpu. The upper reaches of Huangpu were originally called Hengli Stream, mainly receiving water from Dianshan Lake. The water system of Shanghai originates from the three rivers of Tai Lake, namely the Lou River, Songjiang, and Dongjiang. Songjiang, which is today's Wusong River, is also known as Songling and Lizhe. At the beginning of the Ming dynasty, Songjiang changed its course to connect with the Huangpu River, and since then, the water system of Shanghai with the Huangpu River as the main and Wusong River as the auxiliary has remained stable to this day. Ren Renfa, a water conservancy expert of the Yuan dynasty, dredged the Wusong River twice. At the beginning of the Yongle era of the Ming dynasty, the court adopted the proposal of the scholar Ye Zonghang to implement the 'Jiang-Pu Confluence' project.

😍 The special exhibitions at the Shanghai Minhang Museum always stand out on major social platforms, successfully reaching a wide audience and attracting many people to visit. This half-year special exhibition comes from Nanchang, Jiangxi, featuring the Marquis of Haihun, a queen with a legendary fate. 🎨 "Encounter with the Marquis of Haihun - Exhibition of Fine Cultural Relics from the Tomb of Liu He of the Western Han Dynasty" ⏱️ From now until 2024.5.19 🔹 The Haihunhou (Marquis of Haihun) site located in Nanchang, Jiangxi, was excavated in 2011 and is the largest and best-preserved marquisate site of the Han Dynasty found in China to date. With the excavation of the site, a large amount of 'gold' was discovered, totaling 115 kilograms of gold artifacts unearthed. This is also the only tomb in the region south of the Yangtze River in China that has been found with real chariots and horses as part of the burial. 💥 The exhibition from Nanchang features more than 110 sets of cultural relics, mostly made of bronze and gold. The exhibition hall is not large, but it is reasonably divided into two main parts: one introduces the Haihun state and the Marquis of Haihun, and the other displays the related unearthed cultural relics. Accompanied by dim lighting, a comfortable viewing environment is created. ✨【Interesting Exhibits】 1⃣️ Goose and Fish Shaped Bronze Lamp: Admired for its exquisite and unique realistic shape, with a goose holding a fish in its beak; a diagram next to it also shows that it is composed of four parts: the goose head holding a fish, the lampshade, the lamp plate, and the lamp base. 2⃣️ Tortoise with Crane Bronze Incense Burner: Another set of bronze incense burners polished in the shape of animals, with a tortoise as the base and a crane with a curved body and spread wings standing on the tortoise, symbolizing 'longevity and fortune'. 3⃣️ Five-Branch Bronze Lamp: From a distance, it looks like a tree with five lamp plates supported on its branches. Its design is derived from the Fusang mythology, containing the meaning of 'ascending to immortality'. 4⃣️ In addition, there are various 'golds', such as: the unicorn-toe-shaped Jin, horseshoe gold, and gold cakes, as well as a large number of five baht coins. Truly worthy of being the 'wealthy' dynasty of the Western Han history. 🔹 This is my second visit to the exhibition. Compared to the crowd at the opening, it has calmed down a lot this time, and the experience is much better. However, the lacquered mirror case with the image of Confucius's disciples at the end of the exhibition hall seems to have been removed. 📝 To summarize why Minhang Museum's special exhibitions always become popular: ▪️ The exhibits are captivating and regionally differentiated; ▪️ Strong interaction with the audience, with attractive public account articles, interesting explanations, and unique stamp-collecting activities; ▪️ Each special exhibition launches beautifully designed cultural and creative products. ▶️ Past fine special exhibitions at Minhang Museum: ▪️ "Han Dynasty Eternity - Exhibition of Fine Cultural Relics from Mawangdui" ▪️ "The Roar from the North - Exhibition of Fine Cultural Relics of Bronze Ware from Ordos" ▪️ "That Year in Wanli - Special Exhibition of Cultural Relics from the Ming Dynasty's Thirteen Tombs" 📍 1538 Xinzhen Road, Minhang District, Shanghai 🚇 Subway Line 9, Qibao Station ⏱️ 9:00-17:00 💰 Free