Chongqing Three Gorges Museum

» Chongqing, Si Chuan

Chongqing Three Gorges Museum Overview & Map Weather Transportation Information

The Museum is situated opposite the Chongqing People's Assembly Hall. It is not only the largest monographic museum, but is also a public undertaking for the preservation, education, scientific research in respect of cultural relics and the natural environment of Chongqing and the Three Gorges area. This museum is massive; it may take several hours to take in all the exhibits. On the highest level are rotating collections. There you may see galleries of porcelain, traditional Chinese painting, and ancient jade relics, to name a few.

The Three Gorges

The Three Gorges is probably the major attraction that lures visitor from all over the world. The Three Gorges is a famous Chinese canyon along the waters of Yangtze River, the most visited in the country. The river goes further east and reaches Shanghai and thus its name, meaning "Long River". The nature along the river is purely magnificent! If you have enough time while in China, you should definitely go on one of those river cruises that are offered in Chongqing.

How enormous the Museum is

The exterior of the museum has cambered walls and vitreous dome, representing the historical culture of Three Gorges project and its origins. In addition, there are large-scale relifes, bronze sculptures and an "Ecological Corridor" that is one kilometer in length (about 1,094 yards). It occupies a whole area of 42,497 square meters (about 50,828 square yards). The exhibition hall covers 23,225 square meters (about 27,778 square yards), and houses.

Why do visit

Originally called the Chongqing Municipal Museum, this museum was moved to its more modern and spacious location mid-2005. While still lacking a certain charisma, several items in this museum make the trip worthwhile.

First is its lovely collection of Tang and Song heads carved out of stone. Most are of Buddha, Guanyin, and various bodhisattvas, but what distinguish them are their human rather than heavenly miens. A fine collection of terra-cotta sculptures from an Eastern Han tomb is also on the display. Discovered in Chongqing north of the Yangtze, they are small, whimsical figurines of musicians, dancers, singers, and storytellers - a lively group to spend eternity with. The museum also boasts collections that go back in time as far as the Shang Dynasty. Of particular interest are the paulownia-wood "boat coffins" of the ancient Ba culture.

Four Basic Displays

1. Glorious Three Gorges which reflects the cultural and historical spirits of Three Gorges
   
2. Ancient Ba-Yu which introduces the origin and development of Chongqing history
   
3. Chongqing: the City Road which describes the changes of Chongqing City in the 20th century
   
4. The Anti-Japanese War (1937 - 1945) which records the wartime ordeals of the people in Chongqing
   

Six Themed Displays

1. Paintings and calligraphies through the ages
   
2. Porcelains of various dynasties
   
3. Coins of various dynasties
   
4. Sculptures of the Han Dynasty
   
5. Folk customs of the people of southwest China
   
6. Cultural relics donated by Li Chuli
   

Other exhibits

Another important exhibit is a 180 panorama of war torn Chongqing depicting the city, when as the provisional capital of China, it was subjected to substantial bombardment by the Japanese over several decades. There is also a 360cinema of Three Gorges that mainly shows the natural and social sceneries of Three Gorges prior to the construction of the dam project.

When to visit

Opening Hours: 8:30a.m. - 5:00p.m.

Getting there

By bus: No.105, 117, 122, 181, 215, 262, 421, 862, 868.

Attractions around » Chongqing, Si Chuan

Natural Scene

• Qutang Gorge
• Wu Gorge
• Eling Park
• Port Chaotianmen
• Mt. Geleshan

Historical Site

• Kuimen
• Baidicheng
• Fengdu
• Dazu Rock Carvings
• Shibaozhai Temple
• Chongqing People's Assembly Hall
• Ciqikou Old Town

Cultural Site

• Eling Park
• Chongqing Zoo
• Chongqing Three Gorges Museum
• Wanzhou
• Artists' Village

Chongqing Three Gorges Museum Highlights

Three Gorges attraction highlights

• Qutang Gorge
• Wu Gorge
• Xiling Gorge
• Three Gorges Dam
• Chongqing Three Gorges Museum

city highlights

• Yichang
• Badong

Museum in Great China

• Forbidden City
• Terracotta Warriors and Horses
• Shaanxi Provincial History Museum
• Sanxingdui Ruins
• Dunhuang Museum
• National Museum of China
• Shanghai Museum
• Weijin Art Gallery
• Gansu Provincial Museum
• Xi'an Banpo Museum
• Dinosaur Museum
• Han Yang Ling Museum
• Forest of Stone Steles Museum
• Tibet Museum
• Jingdezhen Ceramic History Museum
• Dongba Museum
• Chongqing Three Gorges Museum
• Hubei Provincial Museum
• Shanghai History Museum
• Great Wall Museum
• Memorial Hall to the Victims in the Nanjing Massacre
• Han Dynasty Tomb Museum
• Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall
• Xianyang Museum
• Shandong Provincial Museum
• Nanjing Museum
• Meteorite Museum
• Salt History Museum
• Inner Mongolia Museum
• Hunan Provincial Museum
• National Tea Museum
• China National Silk Museum
• Museum of Traditional Chinese Medicine
• Luoyang Museum
• Chen Family Temple

Chongqing Three Gorges Museum FAQ & Travelers's Tips

  Weather

1. Is Chongqing's weather very hot? What to notice?

  Shopping

1. What sourvenirs should I buy and where?

  Travel

1. Can I tour around Chonqing by bike?

  Customs

1. Could I get to know something about minority cultures in Chongqing?

  Other Hints

1. Notice this if you tend to drink beer in a bar
2. Emergency numbers
3. Mind this customs rule

• Is Chongqing's weather very hot? What to notice?

  Chongqing is located in the transition area between the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and the Middle-lower Yangtze Plain. Which is famous for its hot summers and it is known as one of 'the three furnace cities'. The other two are Nanjing and Wuhan. Bring light clothing such as T-shirts, shorts and sandals if you come in summer. Also, remember to bring your umbrella, sunglasses, and suntan lotion to avoid the heat of the 'burning furnace'. The best season to visit Chongqing is in spring, autumn and winter.

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• Could i get to know something about minority cultures in Chongqing?

  Chongqing is a multi-cultural city, with about 23 distinct minority cultures. The Tujia and the Miao are the largest two minorities in Chongqing and mainly inhabit the Qianjiang Development District and the Fuling District. Every January 3 to 15 of the lunar calendar, Tujia people hold grand activities of worship, praying and dancing. The Miao people express themselves through singing.

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• Can i tour around Chonqing by bike?

  The bike is the worst choice for people who understand the structure of the mountain city. First timers to Chongqing should be warned it is very easy to get lost. The bus system and monorail are advised as the best forms of transportation.

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• What sourvenirs should I buy and where?

  The local "Tan Mu Jiang" (Carpenter Tan) carpentry shop is worth a visit for its fine wood artwares
  

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• Notice this if you tend to drink beer in a bar

  There are many bars in Chongqing, but most are underpopulated. Several branches of the Newcastle Arms offer the closest thing to proper beer, but be sure they get your beer from the pump and not the slop tray.

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• Emergency numbers

  • Ambulance: 120
    
  • Emergencies: 110
    
  • Fire: 119
    
  • Tel No. Enquiry: 114
    
  • Police: 110



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• Mind this customs rule

  Customs rules require an accounting of all valuables including watches, jewellery, cameras and currency that you are taking in. A copy of this is surrendered on departure and anything missing may well be treated as imported and duty required accordingly. Therefore make sure you obtain a police report for any goods stolen during your stay.
  Recorded video-tapes must be declared and may be viewed by the Authorities on arrival.

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