Three Gorges Museum in Chongqing China
By admin on 2014-12-29

Three Gorges Museum is situated opposite the Chongqing People's Hall. It is not only the largest monographic museum, but is also a public undertaking for the preservation, education, scientific research in respect of cultural relics and the natural environment of Chongqing and the Three Gorges area.

The exterior of the museum has cambered walls and vitreous dome, representing the historical culture of Three Gorges project and its origins. In addition, there are large-scale reliefs, bronze sculptures and an 'Ecological Corridor' that is one kilometer in length (about 1,094 yards).

Originally called the Chongqing Municipal Museum, this museum moved to its more modern and spacious location mid 2005. While still lacking a certain charisma, several items in this museum make the trip worthwhile. First is its lovely collection of Tang and Song heads carved out of stone. Most are of Buddha, Guanyin, and various bodhisattvas, but what distinguishes them are their human rather than heavenly miens. A fine collection of terra-cotta sculptures from an Eastern Han tomb is also on the display. Discovered in Chongqing north of the Yangzi, they are small, whimsical figurines of musicians, dancers, singers, and storytellers -- a lively group to spend eternity with. The museum also boasts collections that go back in time as far as the Shang dynasty (ca. 1600-1045 B.C.). Of particular interest are the paulownia-wood "boat coffins" of the ancient Ba culture.

The museum occupies a whole area of 42,497 square meters (about 50,828 square yards). The exhibition hall covers 23,225 square meters (about 27,778 square yards), and houses:

Four Basic Displays:
Glorious Three Gorges which reflects the cultural and historical spirits of Three Gorges.
Ancient Ba-Yu which introduces the origin and development of Chongqing history.
Chongqing: the City Road which describes the changes of Chongqing City in the 20th century.
The Anti-Japanese War (1937-1945) which records the wartime ordeals of the people in Chongqing.

Six Themed Displays:
Paintings and calligraphies through the ages
Porcelains of various dynasties
Coins of various dynasties
Sculptures of the Han Dynasty (206BC-220)
Folk customs of the peoples of southwest China
Cultural relics donated by Li Chuli
Sculptures of the Han Dynasty

Another important exhibit is a 180 panorama of war torn Chongqingdepicting the city, when as the provisional capital of China, it was subjected to substantial bombardment by the Japanese over several decades. There is also a360 cinema of Three Gorgesthat mainly shows the natural and social sceneries of Three Gorges prior to the construction of the dam project.

Chongqing China Three Gorges Museum appeals to visitors from all over the world by its special culture, advanced high-tech and unique management. It has been an important platform of cultural exchanges of Three Gorges area.

Opening Hours：8:30am-5pm
Location：Renmin Road,north side of the People's Square(Renin Guangchang)
Admission Fee: CNY 40 (Through Ticket)
Bus Routes: 105,117,122,181,215,262,421,862,868