Nanjing Museum is located at the southern foot of Purple Mountain, on the north side inside Zhongshan Gate. Here, you can not only see ancient artifacts such as the golden-threaded robe featured in ‘The Grave Robbers’ Chronicles’, but also appreciate calligraphy and painting art, and even take a walk on the old streets to embark on a journey through time.
The museum was planned in 1933 and completed in 1948, with the main hall modeled after the mountain gate of Dulun Temple in Tianjin. After an expansion in 2009, it was opened to the public on November 6, 2013, and has since become the second-largest museum in China, only after the National Museum of China, with six distinct sections: the History Hall, Special Exhibition Hall, Digital Hall, Art Hall, Republic of China Hall, and Intangible Cultural Heritage Hall.
The museum’s layout is divided into two main parts. After walking a short distance to the right, you will find the old main hall, which now serves as a security checkpoint instead of displaying exhibits. Behind ‘Dulun Temple’ lies the History Hall, while the other five halls are situated to the left. You can tour from the five halls on the left to the History Hall on the right, or vice versa. It is recommended to start with the History Hall, as the Special Exhibition Hall, which houses the ‘Treasures of the Museum’, is located to the left of the History Hall. A suggested tour route would be: History Hall – Special Exhibition Hall – Digital Hall – Republic of China Hall – Art Hall – Intangible Cultural Heritage Hall.The History Hall at the museum is a journey through time, showcasing artifacts arranged chronologically from the prehistoric era to the Ming and Qing dynasties. As you walk through, it’s as if you’re strolling through the 5,000-year-old civilization of Jiangsu. The exhibits are diverse and captivating, including dinosaur skeletons from the prehistoric times, luxurious golden and silver-threaded robes, and walls constructed from bricks of the Northern and Southern Dynasties, adorned with faint carvings depicting the ‘Seven Sages of the Bamboo Grove’.
In the Special Exhibition Hall, the ‘Golden Age of Splendor’ section is a highlight, displaying Qing Dynasty official kilns. The ‘Clock and Watch Collection Exhibition’ is another fascinating area, showcasing ancient Chinese timekeeping devices alongside Western clocks. The ‘Into the Buddha’ exhibition features exquisite golden Buddha statues that are truly a sight to behold.
The ‘Treasure of the Museum’ is a gilded Tibetan-style pagoda from the early Ming Dynasty (1436-1439), which commands an entire room and is nothing short of awe-inspiring. This treasure was discovered in the underground palace of Hongjue Temple Pagoda at Niushou Mountain in Nanjing. The display is set on a square red sandstone base, with four blue and white porcelain vases surrounding the golden pagoda. In front of the pagoda, there’s a small golden coffin and a silver sarcophagus, atop which rests a golden reclining statue of Buddha Shakyamuni.
The Digital Hall is where modern technology meets ancient themes. It features animations like ‘Nanjing Metropolis Scenery Scroll,’ reminiscent of the ‘Along the River During the Qingming Festival’ displayed in the China Pavilion at the World Expo. What makes this hall particularly engaging are the interactive games. Visitors can touch the screen to play games that are set against an ancient backdrop, offering a unique and immersive experience.The Art Hall is home to an array of sculptures, calligraphy, and paintings. Among its unique exhibitions is a collection of Fu Baoshi’s paintings, which employ Chinese ink painting techniques to portray Eastern European scenes, including red-roofed buildings, bustling squares, and iconic sculptures.
At the Nanjing Museum, the Republic of China Pavilion has been crafted with meticulous attention to detail, emulating the streets of the era. Vintage trolleys are parked along the streets, with shops exhibiting the distinctive architectural style of the Republic of China period lining both sides. These shops are fully operational, offering a range of items that hark back to the past, including a general store that sells ‘rat droppings’—Kumquat Balls—a nostalgic treat from childhood.
The Pavilion also features a post office that provides a Nanjing Museum postmark service. Above the post office, an avant-garde bookstore operates, with staff dressed in period-specific attire. For those interested in sending postcards, stamps can be purchased on-site.
The Intangible Cultural Heritage Pavilion is a treasure trove of folk crafts, including woodblock printing, paper-cutting, gold leafing, and lantern making. Visitors can also enjoy traditional performances such as Kunqu Opera, Baiju, and Pingtan, scheduled from 14:00 to 16:00.
In addition, the small theater within the Intangible Cultural Heritage Pavilion offers a free 3D movie experience, which lasts for about 20 minutes. On weekends and holidays, when traditional performances are held, the theater is also open to the public at 19:00, and tickets are required for entry.The museum is closed all day on Mondays throughout the year.
From July 9th to August 31st, it is open from 09:00 to 18:00 from Tuesday to Sunday.
From September 1st to July 8th, it is open from 09:00 to 17:00 from Tuesday to Sunday.
During the National Day holiday, it is open from 09:00 to 21:00.
Service facilities include guided tours. The cost is 20 yuan for audio tours and 30 yuan for smart tours. Tour times are at 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM. Meeting points are at the history museum information desk, special exhibition hall information desk, and art museum information desk.
Guided tour devices are available for rent at no charge and can be found at the information desk. There are free scheduled tours at 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM every day at the history museum and special exhibition hall. Prior announcements are made over the PA system. Each tour can accommodate up to 30 people.
