Henan Museum

I visited the Henan Museum three years ago, and this time I came to Zhengzhou for a second tour. It took nearly five hours in total for the morning and afternoon to visit all the exhibition halls, and I still feel that many were just a quick glance, without the opportunity to observe everything carefully. The nine treasures of the museum: * Jiahu Bone Flute: Neolithic Period, early Peiligang culture (about 9,000 years ago, around 7000 BC), the earliest musical instrument unearthed in China to date, and also the earliest playable musical instrument in the world. * Duling Square Ding: Middle Shang Dynasty, it is the earliest, largest, most perfectly cast, and best-preserved bronze heavy vessel known to mankind. It is also the earliest Chinese ritual vessel decorated with taotie patterns and nipple studs. Unearthed in Zhengzhou City in 1974, there are two pieces, the larger one is in the National Museum, and the smaller one is in the Henan Museum. * Fu Hao Owl Zun: Late Shang Dynasty (11th century BC), unearthed in 1976 from the tomb of Fu Hao in Yinxu, Anyang, Henan. It is 45.9 cm tall, 16.4 cm long at the mouth, and was used as a wine vessel. The shape resembles an owl with its head held high, round eyes, wide beak, small ears, tall crown, wings folded, and three points of support formed by the two feet and the tail. There is an opening on the back of the neck, covered on top, and the inner wall is cast with the inscription 'Fu Hao'. There is a beast-head-shaped bow handle on the back. * Jade-handled Iron Sword: Late Western Zhou Dynasty. Unearthed in 1990 from the tomb of Guo Ji in Sanmenxia City, Henan Province. The sword is 20 cm long, with a 13 cm hilt, and the blade is inserted into a carefully made cowhide sheath. There are traces of silk fabric wrapped around the sword, and the handle is made of Hetian jade. Due to long burial, the blade is broken into two pieces, and the sheath is corroded and stuck to the blade, making it impossible to separate. After research by experts, it was discovered that this sword is made of carburized steel, which is made by carburizing a block of wrought iron over a long period and repeatedly forging it, making the cast objects sharper and more durable. The jade-handled iron sword is exquisitely made, combining iron, copper, and jade. It is the earliest man-made iron product unearthed in Chinese archaeological excavations. Its discovery has advanced the history of Chinese man-made iron smelting by nearly two centuries, hence it is known as 'China's First Sword'. * Lotus Crane Square Pot: Spring and Autumn Period (771–476 BC). Unearthed in 1923 in Xinzheng, Henan. It is 117 cm tall, 30.5 cm long at the mouth, and 24.9 cm wide. The pot has a crown cover, a long neck, a drooping belly, and a ring foot. The pot is majestic and elegantly decorated. The crown of the pot is shaped like double-layered blooming lotus petals, with a crane ready to fly on the flat cover in the middle; dragon-shaped monsters on both sides of the pot neck serve as ears; the body is fully decorated with chi dragon patterns, with a three-dimensional small beast climbing on each of the four corners of the belly, and two curled-tail beasts with heads to the side and tongues sticking out under the ring foot, supporting the heavy vessel with all their might. * Cloud-patterned Bronze Ji: Middle Spring and Autumn Period (620–467 BC). Unearthed in 1978 in Xiasi, Xichuan, Henan. It is 28.8 cm tall, 103 cm long, and 46 cm wide. The Ji is a stand for placing wine vessels, supported by bronze stems of varying thicknesses with multiple layers of openwork cloud patterns, with twelve dragon-shaped beasts climbing around the Ji and another twelve squatting underneath as feet. This is the earliest bronze ware found in China that was cast using the lost-wax method. * Four Spirits and Cloud Qi Painting: Early Western Han Dynasty. Unearthed in 1987 from the tomb in the Liangguo King's Mausoleum area in Mangdang Mountain, Yongcheng. The mural is 5.14 meters long, 3.27 meters wide, and has an area of 16.8 square meters. The 'Four Spirits and Cloud Qi Painting' is located at the top of the tomb chamber, with a 7-meter-long giant dragon soaring in the middle, the Vermilion Bird to the east, and the White Tiger to the west, surrounded by monsters, lingzhi mushrooms, and cloud patterns. It has extremely high historical and artistic value. It is not only the earliest, largest, highest-ranking, and best-preserved mural seen in China but also a magnificent epic carrying the thoughts of immortality in the early Western Han Dynasty. Later, archaeological experts used scientific methods to cut out the mural in its original form and move it to the Henan Museum. * Wu Zetian Gold Slip: Early Tang Dynasty. Unearthed in 1982 at the Jueji Peak of Mount Songshan. The gold slip is rectangular, 36.2 cm long, 8 cm wide, and 0.1 cm thick, weighing 223.5 grams. The front is engraved with a double-hook regular script inscription of 3 lines and 63 characters, 'The sovereign of the Great Zhou, Wu Zetian, who enjoys music and the true Dao of immortality, respectfully visits the gate of the high mountain of Mount Songshan, offering a gold slip to the Three Officials and Nine Bureaus to remove Wu Zetian's sins, on the seventh day of the seventh month of the Gengzi year, Jia Shen, the small envoy Hu Chao bows and respectfully reports.' This is Wu Zetian's prayer for blessings on Mount Songshan on the seventh day of the seventh month of the first year of Jiushi (AD 700), sending the eunuch Hu Chao to offer a slip to the gods to remove sins and disasters. This is the only gold slip found in China. * Ru Kiln Sky Blue Glazed Carved Goose-neck Vase: The only complete piece of sky blue glazed ware obtained from the archaeological excavation of the Ru official kiln site.

Great local food after an interesting and informative visit to the Henan Museum

Date: 2023/12/2- 12/3 Location: Zhengzhou Olympic Sports Center - Zhengdi Sports Stadium With the cold weather in December, why not heat things up with a music festival! When you come to Zhengzhou, I also recommend these places! I recommend everyone to check them out! 1. Shaolin Temple It is said that 'all martial arts under heaven originated from Shaolin.' Not just Chinese people who have been deeply influenced by Shaolin Kung Fu since childhood, but many international friends also visit Shaolin Temple when they come to Henan. It's not only the holy land of martial arts but also the ancestral court of Zen Buddhism in China. Strike a few classic martial arts poses at Shaolin Temple for a photo, and it feels as if the blades and shadows of the martial world are flashing before your eyes. 2. Henan Only · Drama Fantasy City Henan Only · Drama Fantasy City, created by Jianye Group in collaboration with director Wang Chaoge, is a drama fantasy city with 21 theaters and is currently one of the largest drama clusters in China. The scenic area uses immersive theatrical art as a technique and unique 'fantasy city' architecture as a carrier. By telling stories about 'land, food, and heritage,' it allows more people to experience the charm of theatrical culture. 3. Henan Museum Founded in 1927, the Henan Museum is one of the earliest established museums in China. It is located in the middle section of Agriculture Road in Zhengzhou City, Henan Province, covering an area of 126 acres with a building area of 55,000 square meters. The Henan Museum currently has a collection of over 170,000 pieces (sets) of cultural relics, especially known for its prehistoric artifacts, Shang and Zhou dynasty bronzes, ceramics from various dynasties, jades, and stone carvings. With a large number of high-quality, diverse, and valuable cultural relics, it is a treasure trove of cultural art that witnesses the trajectory of Chinese civilization and showcases the historical development of China. At the beginning of December, let's have fun at the Zhengzhou YAO Music Carnival and start the winter revelry~

During the holiday, I traveled alone from Suzhou to Zhengzhou, which is also from the Jiangnan region to the Central Plains. To understand a city, start with its museum. The Henan Museum has a vast collection, with bronzes too numerous to attend to. Three hours of explanation, and the profound history is narrated eloquently.

Hi~ Hello everyone, I am Senyu A guy who likes to visit city museums 👦 Last weekend, taking advantage of the not-so-busy work I decided to travel from Wuhan to Henan Museum As a travel blogger for so many years I have visited many city museums However, it is really convenient to come to Henan Museum It takes only about 1 and a half hours by high-speed train 🚄 from Wuhan~ - 🚄 | Travel Guide ▪️ Sisters, it's really convenient to travel from Wuhan to Zhengzhou, Henan. If you choose the high-speed train from Hong Kong West Kowloon ➠ Beijing, it takes just over an hour from Wuhan to Zhengzhou, very fast!! ▪️ After arriving at Zhengzhou East Station, you can choose to take the Subway Line 2 to Guanhutun Station and walk there - ✅ | Must-see Treasures ❶ Jiahu Bone Flute: Excavated from the Neolithic Jiahu site, dating back about 9000~7000 years. It is the earliest and best-performing wind instrument found in China so far, known as "China's First Flute" ❷ Lady Hao's Owl Zun: A late Shang Dynasty bronze, shaped like a standing owl, lifelike. The feather texture of the Owl Zun is clearly visible, and its eyes are bright, making it a fine piece among Shang Dynasty bronzes ❸ Jade-handled Iron Sword: An early Western Zhou weapon, with a jade handle and an iron blade, connected by turquoise in the middle. It is the first artificially smelted iron sword in China, marking the country's entry into the Iron Age ❹ Empress Wu's Gold Inscriptions: Cultural relics from the first year of Tang Jiushi, used by Empress Wu to pray for the removal of sins and blessings from heaven, providing important materials for studying the history of the Tang Dynasty, the life of Empress Wu, and the craftsmanship of ancient goldware ❺ Lotus Crane Square Pot: A bronze from the Spring and Autumn period, with a prosperous overall shape and decoration, praised by Guo Moruo as "the swan song of the Bronze Age". It is a testament to the hegemon Zheng Zhuanggong, showcasing the prosperity and splendor of the Spring and Autumn period - 🔖 | Other 𝐓𝐢𝐩𝐬 ▪️ In addition to the above, there are also the Four Spirits Cloud Qi Mural, Ru Kiln Sky Blue Glazed Carved Goose Neck Bottle, Cloud Pattern Bronze Ban, and Beast Face Milk Nail Pattern Bronze Square Ding, etc. ▪️ I personally recommend it to those who like history and culture and friends who travel for study or bring children to visit, to feel the history here ▪️ Henan Museum requires online free reservation 2 days in advance, especially on Saturdays, Sundays, or holidays, it is not easy to make a reservation - 📍 | No. 8 Agriculture Road, Jinshui District, Zhengzhou City, Henan Province 🎫 | Free and open to the public, reservation required for visit ⏰ | 9:00~17:30 (Entry stops 1 hour before closing)

Time: 2023.12.16 Saturday 19:30 Venue: Henan Art Center Grand Theater The hottest Chinese A Cappella group, The Ideal Voice, is coming to Henan! Henan's culture is not just about the Shaolin Temple. In December, enjoy the music and explore more of Zhengzhou's artistic temperament together~ 1. Only in Henan 7 Drama Fantasy City Only in Henan 7 Drama Fantasy City is a theatrical fantasy city with 21 theaters, co-created by Jianye Group and Director Wang Chaoge. It is currently one of the largest theater clusters in China. The scenic area uses immersive theatrical art as a method and unique 'fantasy city' architecture as a carrier. By telling stories about 'land, food, inheritance,' it allows more people to feel the charm of theatrical culture. 2. Shaolin Temple It is said that 'all martial arts under heaven come from Shaolin.' Not to mention the Chinese who have been deeply influenced by Shaolin Kung Fu since childhood, many international friends also visit the Shaolin Temple when they come to Henan. This place is not only the holy land of martial arts but also the ancestral court of Zen Buddhism. Taking a few classic martial arts poses at the Shaolin Temple for a photo, it feels as if the glint and flash of swords have just passed before your eyes. 3. Henan Museum The Henan Museum was established in 1927 and is one of the earlier established museums in China. Located in the middle section of Agriculture Road in Zhengzhou, Henan Province, the museum covers an area of 126 acres with a building area of 55,000 square meters. It currently holds more than 170,000 pieces (sets) of cultural relics, especially known for prehistoric relics, Shang and Zhou dynasty bronzes, ceramics of various dynasties, jades, and stone carvings. With a large number of high-quality cultural relics, diverse categories, high standards, and significant value, it is a treasure trove of cultural art that witnesses the trajectory of Chinese civilization and showcases the historical development of China.

❤Recommended reason: During the Ming and Qing dynasties, the royal family established specialized manufacturing and management institutions, such as the Imperial Workshop during the Ming dynasty and the Zaobanchu during the Qing dynasty, producing a large number of exquisitely crafted and unparalleled artisanal treasures. 👍Most recommended: During the Ming and Qing periods, lacquerware was made with exquisite materials and complex craftsmanship, and decorated with rich and elegant designs. The use of various techniques such as carved lacquer, filled lacquer, inlay, polychrome painting, and gold lacquer, displayed a unique charm of lacquer art. 👍Most recommended: Enamelware was introduced to China from Western Asia during the Yuan dynasty and was quickly endowed with the traditional style of the Chinese nation. With the efforts during the Ming dynasty's Xuande and Jingtai reigns, the craftsmanship made significant advances. 👍Most recommended: During the Ming and Qing periods, Chinese ceramics, especially colored porcelain, saw tremendous development. Not only did they utilize the firing techniques of celadon and white porcelain, but they also drew on the development of low-temperature colored glazes since the Western Han dynasty. Based on the ceramic craftsmanship of the Song and Yuan dynasties, there were breakthroughs and innovations, reaching the highest level in history.

Upon entering the main gate, you'll find the cloakroom where you can store your bags, although it's not mandatory. If you have made a reservation in advance, you can simply swipe your ID card to enter. On the first floor, there is a place to rent audio guides for 30 yuan. They provide explanations for important relics in about a dozen exhibition halls, so you might consider renting one~ The museum has a total of 4 floors with 14 exhibition halls, generally arranged chronologically. The space in each exhibition hall is not too large, but the flow design is quite reasonable. After visiting the entire museum, there is a cultural and creative product shop on the first floor. Now there are even many styles of cultural and creative popsicles, along with a variety of other souvenirs to choose from~

🌈 Visiting the Henan Museum is a must when touring Zhengzhou. Not coming here means you miss half of what Henan has to offer. Located at the heart of the region with convenient transportation, the Henan Museum covers an area of over 100,000 square meters, with a building area of 78,000 square meters. Following the museum's sequence, you can deeply feel the changes of Chinese civilization over the past five thousand years. 🌟 Nine Treasures of the Museum: You must learn about these, including the Lotus and Crane Square Pot, Jiahu Bone Flute, Ru Kiln Sky-Blue Glazed Carved Goose-Neck Vase, Jade-Handled Iron Sword, Empress Wu Zetian's Gold Exoneration Slip, Lady Hao's Owl-Shaped Wine Vessel, Duling Square Cauldron, Cloud Patterned Bronze Ban Liang Coin, and the Four Spirits and Clouds Chart. The museum houses many precious cultural relics and art collections, including painted pottery, bronzes, porcelain, calligraphy, paintings, and valuable documents. The main exhibits in the museum showcase the historical culture and natural heritage of the Henan region, such as Bronze Age artifacts from the Shang and Zhou dynasties, terracotta figures from the Qin and Han periods, jade articles from the Tang dynasty, ceramics from the Song dynasty, and porcelain from the Ming and Qing dynasties. In addition, there are special exhibitions of world cultural heritage items and relics of famous people from Henan. 🌕 The museum displays the unique cultural charm of the Henan region and is an important place to understand the Central Plains culture, ancient history, and art. 🌼 The cultural and creative shop in the museum also has a complete range of items, including the key souvenir cultural and creative ice cream. The cultural and creative ice cream was what I wanted to get the museum passport stamp for when I visited, but they said it was taken for repair, and there were no other stamps available, which was a pity. The museum has a total of 4 floors and 14 exhibition halls. Here you can rent audio guides for 30 yuan, and there are also fee-based research explanations and small group tour guides. During peak seasons when it's crowded, it's best to book in advance. When it's crowded, you have to queue, but when it's not, you can just book on-site and enter. There are lockers available nearby. ⏰ Opening Hours: Except for National Day, closed on Mondays. From January 1st to September 28th, open from Tuesday to Sunday from 9:00-17:00, with last entry at 16:00. During the National Day from September 29th to October 6th, open from 9:00-19:00, with last entry at 18:00. From October 7th to December 31st, open from Tuesday to Sunday from 9:00-17:00, with last entry at 16:00. 📍 Location: No. 8 Agriculture Road, Jinshui District, Zhengzhou City, Henan Province

Attraction Information: 1⃣Henan Museum 🎫Ticket: Free, reservation required 🚇Transport: Take subway line 2 to Guanhutun C exit and walk for 15 minutes 2⃣Erqi Square 🎫Ticket: Free 🚇Transport: Take subway line 1 to Erqi Square Station B exit 3⃣Zhongyuan Futa 🎫Ticket: 98R 🚇Transport: Take subway line 5 outer ring to Zhongyuan Futa 4⃣The Big Corn Building 🎫Ticket: Free 🚇Transport: Take subway line 1 to Convention Center E2 exit 5⃣Yellow River Culture Park 🎫Ticket: 45R 🚃Transport: Take bus Y16 to Yellow River Culture Park 6⃣Shaolin Temple 🎫Ticket: 125R (Shaolin Temple + Shaolin martial arts performance + Songshan + Pagoda Forest + Erzu An + round-trip Zhengzhou bus ticket) 7⃣Songshan 🎫Ticket: 125R (Shaolin Temple + Shaolin martial arts performance + Songshan + Pagoda Forest + Erzu An + round-trip Zhengzhou bus ticket) 🌃Accommodation recommendation: Near the train station, convenient transportation, affordable prices. 🍲Food recommendation: Hulatang (peppery soup), big plate chicken, mutton stew noodles, and other delicacies. Day One * Morning: Visit Henan Museum to learn about the history and culture of Henan. * Noon: Taste local specialties in Hui Min Street, such as Hulatang, stewed noodles, sweet and sour carp, etc. * Afternoon: Tour the Yellow River Scenic Area and admire the magnificent scenery of the Yellow River. * Evening: Watch a performance at the Zhengzhou Song and Dance Theatre. Day Two * Morning: Visit Shaolin Temple, the cradle of Zen Buddhism and a famous martial arts holy land in China. * Noon: Taste Songshan's special snacks in the Songshan Scenic Area, such as Songshan sweet potatoes, Songshan rice cakes, etc. * Afternoon: Tour Songyang Academy and Sanhuangzhai. * Evening: Check into a hotel. Day Three * Morning: Visit the Yellow River Science and Technology Museum to learn about the history and culture of the Yellow River. * Noon: Taste Zhengzhou's special snacks, such as Zhengzhou stewed noodles, Zhengzhou Hulatang, etc. * Afternoon: Tour Zhengzhou Botanical Garden, a national-level botanical garden famous for its rich variety of plants. * Evening: Taste Zhengzhou's special snacks, such as Zhengzhou stewed noodles, Zhengzhou Hulatang, etc.

❤Recommended Reason: Henan Museum's main exhibition hall's exterior architecture is modeled after the ancient observatory in Dengfeng from the Yuan Dynasty, artistically interpreted as a 'crowned pyramid.' Its base is square, and the crown is a square cauldron shape, rising upward and covering downward, symbolizing the reception of 'sweet dew' from above and the 'earth's energy' from below, implying that the Central Plains is the source of Chinese civilization, integrating all directions. 👍Most Recommended: Henan is located in the Central Plains, where many emperors from various dynasties chose to be buried, as the saying goes, 'Born in Suzhou and Hangzhou, buried in Northern Mang.' Henan's underground cultural relics rank among the top in the country, evidenced by the Luoyang shovel. With a wealth of cultural relics, Henan Museum naturally has an extensive collection, with over 170,000 pieces (sets) of artifacts, featuring a large number of high-quality, diverse, and valuable treasures. Several artifacts that became famous on the show 'National Treasures' are among the collection. 👍Most Recommended: Henan Museum currently has open basic displays 'Magnificent China, Choosing the Central Plains for Capital' and thematic displays 'Henan during the Ming and Qing Dynasties,' 'Jin of Dan and Xi – Bronze Art of the Chu State in the Central Plains,' 'Ancient Stone Carving Art of the Central Plains,' 'Craftsmanship and Treasures – Ming and Qing Treasures from the Museum Collection,' and 'National Treasures Special Exhibition.' There are also 'Social Education Experience Hall' and 'Ancient Chinese Music Hall' that complement the exhibitions.

In Zhengzhou, there stands a majestic hall that quietly tells the stories of a thousand years - it is the Zhengzhou Museum. Entering the Zhengzhou Museum is like traveling through time, back to the bustling ancient days. The museum's collection is rich, ranging from pottery, jade, and bronzeware to calligraphy and ancient books, each piece bearing witness to the glorious history of the Chinese nation. Every exhibit has its story, and every detail is filled with the vicissitudes of history. Here, you can experience the profoundness of ancient culture, appreciate the wisdom and talent of our ancestors. You can quietly admire those exquisite exhibits, feel their unique charm, as if you've had a dialogue across time and space with them.