The Wenzhou Museum, once situated on Jiangxin Island, has now found a new home at the Century Square in the heart of the city, making it conveniently accessible. While many may associate Wenzhou with the business acumen of its people, the museum offers a chance to delve into the city’s rich historical and cultural heritage. Though not sprawling, the museum is well-equipped to enhance one’s understanding of Wenzhou and its inhabitants.
Spanning two floors, the museum boasts three main exhibition halls: the History Hall, the Arts and Crafts Hall, and the Natural Hall. As you step into the museum lobby, a striking dragon boat model commands attention, a testament to the region’s grandeur. Adjacent to the main entrance lies the History Hall, which presents the exhibition theme “Wenzhou People – A Story of Survival and Pioneering,” highlighting the historical narrative of Wenzhou as one of struggle and innovation. Within, you’ll find Neolithic stone tools, tales of Wenzhou’s literati such as Wang Xizhi and Xie Lingyun, reconstructed models of ancient kilns, vintage rickshaws, a Fiat car, and stories of merchants who braved the seas.
Directly opposite the History Hall’s exit is the Arts and Crafts Hall, which focuses on artifacts discovered at the Baixiang Pagoda during the Northern Song Dynasty. The exhibit, themed “The Story of Baixiang Pagoda,” is arranged in a storytelling format, inviting visitors to explore the cultural artifacts and their significance.At the entrance of the exhibition hall, a realistic restoration model of Baixiang Pagoda is eye-catching. Next to it is a restored underground palace. Visitors can see various cultural relics scattered inside through glass, as if they were at an archaeological site. Around the “underground palace” are images of the large number of cultural relics found inside the walls of the Baixiang Pagoda from the first to the fifth floors, including colored sculptures, coins, Buddhist scriptures, bronze ware, and more. These can be appreciated in the subsequent display hall.
Next to the Arts and Crafts Hall is the Ceramics Hall, where you can see many precious Ou Kiln treasures. Those interested in ceramics should not miss it.
Compared to the somewhat dry display of cultural relics downstairs, the Natural Hall upstairs is very popular with children. Here, the entire area is designed to create a jungle-like atmosphere. With large simulated dinosaurs hidden behind the trees, giraffes and ostrich specimens set against a vast savannah, and whale and other marine life specimens set against a blue seabed backdrop, all in vivid poses. These displays, combining images, text, and objects, make academic topics such as paleontological fossils, biodiversity, and environmental protection very lively. It is suitable for bringing children to learn and have fun.
In addition, the museum often has temporary exhibitions of calligraphy, paintings, and cultural relics. Exhibition information can be found on the museum’s official website.The museum is open all year round from Tuesday to Sunday, 09:00 – 17:00; it is closed all day on Mondays. Service facilities include luggage storage: please store any inconvenient-to-carry boxes and bags before visiting, and keep valuable items with you.
Guided Tours:
I. Reservation for Guided Tours:
1. Visitors can book a free guided tour service, which is only available for groups of 8 or more. Please call the reservation hotline at least two days in advance to make a reservation.
2. During the reservation, it is necessary to register the name of the organization, contact person, contact information, visit time, and the number of visitors. The person making the reservation should register at the service desk with valid identification on the day and obtain the guided tour service.
3. If there are changes to the scheduled tour or if the reservation is to be canceled, it is important to contact our staff promptly to adjust the schedule. Failure to notify within a half-hour time frame will be considered a cancellation.
4. Priority is given to special visitors such as military personnel and people with disabilities.
II. Guided Tour Reception:
1. The museum currently only provides guided tours in Chinese, and each tour lasts approximately 40 minutes.
2. Guided tour reception is arranged according to the reservation sequence. From Tuesday to Friday, there are 3 tours each day, and on weekends and holidays, there is 1 tour each day.
The surrounding modern Wenzhou municipal facilities are also worth a visit.Essential Tips:
1. The use of flash is prohibited in the exhibition halls.
Without permission, please do not take videos inside the exhibition.
