Shaanxi History Museum

Located at the crossroad of East Xiaozhai Road and Cuihua Road, northwest of the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, the Shaanxi Provincial History Museum boasts thousands of splendid cultural relics. As a Tang Dynasty style complex, the museum covers an area of almost 60,000 sq meters (14.8 acres) with an exhibition area of 11,600 sq meters (2.87 acres).

The exhibition area is divided into several parts. When you step into the entrance, the Preface Hall is waiting for you. A huge stone lion, which is a copy of the culture relics from the tomb of Empress Wu Zetian's mother, stands in front of a picture of the Yellow River. The first and second floor is the Basic Exhibition Hall. This hall consists of three rooms housing more than 2,000 precious culture relics of the prehistoric time, as well as the dynasties of Zhou, Qin, Han, Three Kingdoms, Jin, Northern and Southern, Sui, Tang, Song, Yuan, Ming and Qing. Delicate pottery, bronze, golden and silver wares together with models and pictures of many sites can give you a deep impression of the long and refulgent history of Shaanxi and China. To the west of the Preface Hall is the Theme Exhibition Hall. This hall is mainly used to hold exhibitions about Shaanxi local culture. Exhibitions such as 'Shaanxi Fine Bronze Objects Exhibition' and 'Over Dynasties' Fine Terra Cotta Figures Exhibition' once were held here. The East Exhibition Hall is also used to exhibit temporary exhibitions.

Among all the cultural relics shown in the museum, over 400 pieces of murals from the tombs of nobles of Tang Dynasty are the most striking. Covering an area of more than 1,000 sq meters (0.25 acres), the murals depict life, constructions, hunting, religions and the communication with other countries during the Tang Dynasty. Thus, you can have a better understanding of this superb dynasty. In addition, exquisite bronze mirrors of Han and Tang dynasties, terra cotta figures, building materials and currencies of all the dynasties are also well preserved in the museum. Shaanxi Provincial history Museum is indeed the best place for you to appreciate the centuries-old history of China.

Note: Only 6,000 free tickets are issued each day: 3,000 in the morning and 3,000 in the afternoon. Visitors are suggested to get to the museum early for lining up. ID Card or passport can be needed.