Hangzhou · history museum
Zhejiang Museum (浙江博物院, Zhèjiāng Bówùyuàn)
The Zhejiang Museum (浙江博物院) opened its current West Lake-side building in 2007 at the foot of Hangzhou's Xihu (West Lake), combining a purpose-built modern museum with the historic Le City Dang (乐善堂) building. The collection of 350,000 objects spans Zhejiang's 100,000-year human history, with four main strengths: (1) Hemudu Culture Neolithic archaeology (7,000-5,000 years ago) - rice cultivation and water management discoveries that changed understanding of early Chinese agriculture; (2) Longquan celadon ceramics - the world's finest collection of Song Dynasty Longquan celadon, widely considered the peak of Chinese ceramic art; (3) Southern Song Dynasty history - Hangzhou was the Southern Song capital (Lin'an) from 1127-1279, and the museum has exceptional objects from this period; (4) the King Wuling lacquer screen (越王勾践剑 screen and 百骏图 lacquer screen fragments).
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Quick Answer
Is Zhejiang Museum worth visiting?
Zhejiang's premier museum at the foot of West Lake - strong in Neolithic archaeology (Hemudu/Yangshao), Longquan celadon, Hangzhou's Southern Song history, and the King Wuling "Hundred Horse" lacquer screen. Free.
Quick facts
| Category | history |
|---|---|
| Ticket | Free. Passport required. Timed entry via Zhejiang Museum WeChat mini-program or Zhejiang Museum official website. Special exhibitions charge separately (¥30-80). |
| Hours | 9:00-17:00 (last entry 16:00). Closed Mondays. |
| Recommended duration | 3-4 hours. |
| Best time to visit | Weekday mornings (Tuesday-Thursday, 9:00-12:00). Hangzhou is mobbed during "One Belt One Road" Summit (biennial, May) and China's Golden Week (Oct 1-7). April-May (West Lake in bloom) and September-November are ideal. Summer is very hot (35°C+). |
| How to get there | Metro Line 1 to Youдите (涌金门站), Exit A, then walk 10 minutes to West Lake's north side. Bus routes 4, 12, 31, 42, 51, 52, Y1 (West Lake scenic route) to Zhejiang Museum stop. From Hangzhou Railway Station by DiDi: ¥25-35. From Hangzhou East Station by DiDi: ¥35-50. |
| English signage | partial |
Why visit
Longquan celadon alone justifies the visit - these pale green-glazed ceramics from Song Dynasty Zhejiang are considered by many collectors to be the most beautiful ceramics ever made. Combined with the Hemudu rice paddy discoveries (which prove sophisticated rice cultivation in Zhejiang 7,000 years ago), the museum provides a complete arc of Zhejiang's civilization from the Neolithic through imperial zenith.
Collection highlights
- Longquan celadon collection - the world's largest and finest collection of Song Dynasty Longquan celadon, including the famous "Meiwan" (霉碗) celadon bowl and large architectural ceramics
- Hemudu Culture rice paddy artifacts - 7,000-year-old rice grains, wooden paddles, and water management structures proving sophisticated Neolithic agriculture in Zhejiang
- King Wuling lacquer screen fragments - carved lacquer screens from the Spring and Autumn period (5th century BCE), depicting horses and court scenes with extraordinary detail
- Southern Song imperial artifacts - objects from Hangzhou's period as the Southern Song capital (Lin'an), including gold and silver ritual objects and silk imperial clothing
- "Ten Thousand Mountains Sloping Red" (万壑松风) - an important Song Dynasty painting scroll by the imperial academy painter Li Cheng, on permanent display
- Liangzhu jade ritual objects - jade cong, bi, and axle stones from the 5,000-year-old Liangzhu Culture, China's largest jade-working civilization
Tips
- The museum is on West Lake - combine with a boat ride on Xihu (West Lake), the Lingyin Temple, and a walk along Broken Bridge (断桥残雪) for a full Hangzhou cultural day
- The Longquan celadon gallery is on the 2nd floor - go early before the tour groups arrive
- Hangzhou's West Lake is a UNESCO World Heritage site - allow at least half a day to explore it beyond the museum
- The museum has an excellent bookshop with replica Longquan celadon pieces and Liangzhu jade copies
- Summer humidity in Hangzhou is extreme (July-August) - the museum is well air-conditioned
- Consider the "West Lake in Rain" (雨西湖) experience - visit the museum on a rainy spring morning when West Lake is at its most beautiful
Frequently asked questions
How does Zhejiang Museum compare to the Henan Museum?
Henan Museum is stronger on Shang-Zhou bronze and early Chinese civilization (Anyang, Luoyang history). Zhejiang Museum is stronger on Neolithic (Hemudu, Liangzhu), Song Dynasty ceramics (Longquan celadon), and Southern Song history. Both are top-tier provincial museums - the choice depends on your historical period of interest.
What is Longquan celadon?
Longquan celadon (龙泉青瓷) is a type of high-fired glazed ceramic produced in Zhejiang's Longquan region during the Song and Yuan dynasties (10th-14th centuries). It is distinguished by its pale green glaze color (celadon) and often carved or moulded decorative designs. It is widely considered the pinnacle of Chinese ceramic art and was a major export to Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and East Africa.
What is the Hemudu Culture?
Hemudu (河姆渡) was a Neolithic culture centered on the Yao River in Zhejiang, dating to 7000-5000 BCE. Its discovery in 1973 overturned assumptions about early Chinese agriculture by demonstrating that rice cultivation was practiced in Zhejiang 7,000 years ago - simultaneously with but independently from the Yangshao culture in the Yellow River valley.
Does Zhejiang Museum have English signage?
Partial - the Longquan celadon gallery and Hemudu sections have English labels. The Southern Song galleries have limited English. Audio guides in English are available (¥50 deposit, ¥30 rental).
Can I combine this with a West Lake visit?
Yes - the museum is a 5-minute walk from West Lake's north shore. The ideal itinerary is: museum morning (9:00-12:30) + lunch at Louwailou (楼外楼, Hangzhou's most famous restaurant) + afternoon boat ride on West Lake.
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