The China National Silk Museum, situated at the foot of Yuhuang Mountain, is a significant cultural institution in Hangzhou. It boasts an extensive collection of silk fabrics and historical materials, offering visitors a deep dive into the history of silk weaving. The museum’s staff are knowledgeable and can guide you on how to discern genuine silk from its imitations.
Upon entering the museum, you are greeted by the ‘Chinese Silk Story’, which is split into two distinct exhibition halls: the Cultural Relics Hall and the Costume Hall. The Cultural Relics Hall is a treasure trove of silk artifacts from various dynasties. Here, you can admire enlarged models of different silk varieties, gaining an appreciation for the delicacy of silk textiles and their significance in ancient life.
The Costume Hall, on the other hand, is dedicated to silk clothing. It features an array of silk garments, from popular robes and ceremonial attire to dragon robes dating from the Warring States period to modern times. It also includes embroidered items that were part of daily life, providing insight into the evolution of silk clothing.
Venturing further, you cross a sky bridge that leads to ‘Heavenly Silkworm Spirit’, an area dedicated to sericulture and silk weaving techniques. This section is composed of several smaller exhibition halls. The Dyeing and Weaving Hall is particularly engaging, where you can learn about the dyeing and weaving production process through models of weaving tools. Adjacent to this is the Weaving Workshop, an open-style exhibition hall where staff conduct live demonstrations of loom operations, offering a firsthand look at the craft.
Lastly, the Textile Cultural Relics Restoration Exhibition Hall is a testament to the art of silk restoration. The first floor is dedicated to showcasing the skills and processes involved in silk restoration, while the second floor is reserved for displaying restored textile cultural relics, a testament to the museum’s commitment to preserving the heritage of silk.The museum’s new material library is a treasure trove for visitors, offering access to a variety of related books and audio-visual materials. For those interested in special temporary exhibitions, the museum also features dedicated halls to host these events.
As you approach the museum’s exit, you’ll find a silk shop offering an array of silk clothing and products. While the prices may not be the cheapest, the shop’s location within the museum instills a sense of reliability, making it a great place to purchase souvenirs.
After your museum visit, consider exploring the adjacent Yuhuang Mountain Scenic Area for further enjoyment.
The museum’s operating hours are as follows: open all year round from Tuesday to Sunday, 09:00 to 17:00; closed on Mondays; and open on public holidays such as New Year’s Day, Spring Festival, Qingming Festival, Labor Day, Dragon Boat Festival, Mid-Autumn Festival, and National Day, also from 09:00 to 17:00.
For those seeking guidance through the museum, service facilities include both free and paid guided tours. Free guided tours are offered at 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM, focusing on the Silk Road Pavilion and Fashion Pavilion, each lasting 30 minutes.
Paid guided tours are available for basic exhibitions, which last 60 minutes and cover the Silk Road Pavilion, Intangible Cultural Heritage Pavilion, and Fashion Pavilion. The cost for these tours is 120 yuan for groups of 8-20 people and 180 yuan for 21-40 people in Chinese, and 140 yuan for 8-20 people and 200 yuan for 21-40 people in English.
For a more comprehensive experience, opt for the basic exhibitions plus one special exhibition, which lasts 90 minutes. This tour includes the Silk Road Pavilion, Intangible Cultural Heritage Pavilion, Fashion Pavilion, and one special exhibition. The fees for this extended tour are 140 yuan for 8-20 people and 200 yuan for 21-40 people in Chinese, and 160 yuan for 8-20 people and 220 yuan for 21-40 people in English.Audio guide rental is available at a reference price. Users need to show valid ID or passport and fill in the audio navigation device free use registration form. A deposit of 200 yuan is required for borrowing each voice navigator. When returning it, the deposit will be returned if the staff confirms that the navigator is in good condition.
Must-see tips:
1. Free guided tours are provided in the museum. Reservation phone number: 0571-87035223.
2. Voice guides can be rented for free. Valid identification documents such as ID cards need to be presented and a deposit of 200 yuan is required.
3. Flashlights cannot be used in the cultural relics hall of ‘The Story of Chinese Silk’.
