The museum is located within the Maiwang Pavilion, a Ming Dynasty library. The Guqin art is considered the ancestor of Chinese plucked string instruments. Changshu, historically known as Qinchuan, is traversed by seven rivers that resemble the seven strings of an ancient guqin. Changshu has long been recognized as the ‘Hometown of Guqin Art’. At the turn of the Ming and Qing dynasties, the master of guqin art, Yan Tianchi, established the ‘Yushan School of Guqin’. Since then, the Yushan School has flourished for over 400 years, with its influence being profound and far-reaching, earning the title ‘Authentic Ancient Music’. Pieces such as ‘Yangguan San Die’, ‘Xiaoxiang Shuiyun’, and ‘Fisherman and Woodcutter Dialogue’ have been popular and influential for generations. The Guqin Art Museum is divided into four areas, each dedicated to the guqin masters Yan Tianchi, Xu Qingshan, and Wu Jinglue, showcasing the current achievements of Changshu in the inheritance and protection of guqin art, and displaying the process of guqin making with physical artifacts. Upon entering the museum, a map of the ancient city of Changshu is painted, with seven rivers depicted from the First String River to the Seventh String River, confirming Changshu as the birthplace of Yushan guqin. The second area is the main hall, Baoxian Hall, which displays Yan Tianchi’s collection of books, manuscripts, and calligraphy and paintings. The third area consists of two courtyards behind, detailing the lives of the other two founders of the Yushan School, Xu Qingshan and Wu Jinglue. The fourth area is a guqin workshop, housing over ten major guqin scores, including the representative work of the Yushan School, ‘Songs of the Pine Pavilion’, edited by Yan Tianchi. The museum is open year-round from Tuesday to Sunday, 09:00-11:00 and 13:00-16:00; closed all day on Mondays, with ticket sales ending at 10:30 AM and 3:30 PM.
Yushan School Guqin Art Museum
The museum is located within the Maiwang Pavilion, a Ming Dynasty library. The Guqin art is consider[...]
