Hubei Provincial Museum

» Wuhan, Hu Bei

Hubei Provincial Museum Overview & Map Weather Transportation Information

In the summer of 1978, Hubei provincial archaeologists working near Cheng Guan (present-day Suizhou) in Sui County excavated a huge tomb more than 2,400 years old. Dating back from around 433 BC, the tomb belongs to Marquis Yi of the state of Zeng, one of the hosts of lesser states during the Warring States Period (475-221 BC). More than 15,000 relics were excavated from the tomb, including the bronze ritual vessels, coffins, musical instruments, gold and jade decorative items, lacquer ware, weapons and inscribed bamboo strips.

Chimes of Warring States Period

The 64 chimes were excavated from the Zeng Houyi Tomb. They were hanged on the chime-frame in 3 layers and 8 groups. The largest bell is 153.4 cm tall and weighs 203. 6 kg. And 2, 800 characters on music were engraved on it. The set of bells are 1, 800 years older than that found in Europe. The finding is significant to world music history and is very rare in world casting history as well. The performance by the chimes still sounds very accurate and graceful even today.

Sword of King of Yue

The sword was unearthed in 1965. It was used by Gou Jian, king of the State of Yue during the Spring and Autumn Period (770BC-476BC) when he led his troops conquering the State of Wu. The sword was decorated with black patterns and the blades are still thin and sharp even today.

28-Constellation Painting

It was painted on a lacquer case unearthed from the Zeng Houyi Tomb. The 28 Chinese characters symbolizing the 28 constellations were written on the cover of the case and dragons and tigers were drawn on the sides of the case. It is the earliest of its kind ever found in China.

Bronze Cold-Drink Pot

It was obtained from the Zeng Houyi Tomb that is 2,400 years old and is the earliest cold-drink pot ever discovered in China. The outer bronze basin is 61. 5 cm tall and weighs about 170 kg. Inside is a square bronze pot. Ice would be put in the basin just around the pot while icing the drink. It was a popular article for noble families to get cold drink in hot summer in ancient times.

The Hubei Provincial Museum holds various characteristic exhibitions from time to time, because it has rich collections of the cultural relics. For example, "the lacquer ware exposition of Warring States and Qin, Han Dynasty unearthed in Hubei", "the performance exposition of ancient musical instruments" and many others are the charm of this museum.

Attractions around » Wuhan, Hu Bei

Natural Scene

• East Lake Scenic Area

Historical Site

• Yellow Crane Tower
• Heptachord Terrace
• Guiyuan Temple

Cultural Site

• Hubei Provincial Museum
• Wuhan Yangtze River Bridge

Hubei Provincial Museum Highlights

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

Hubei Provincial Museum FAQ & Travelers's Tips

  Transportation

1. Something you should notice about Wuhans traffic

  Travel

1. Is it safe to visit Wuhan?

  Customs

1. What are some popular festivals in Wuhan?

  Other Hints

1. How to communicate with the local people?

• Is it safe to visit Wuhan?

  Wuhan is safe to visit, even after dark, with an obvious police presence and a generally law-abiding people. Penalties for even minor infringements for the locals are harsh which it is why it is this way, a refreshing change compared to many places in the world today.

  Although levels of violent crime are low, pickpockets can still be a problem, however, and you should never let your guard down no matter how safe a destination purports to be. Be especially cautious around the busy train stations in Wuchang and in Hankou as well as in the long-distance bus stations in the same places. Keeping wallets and purses out of sight is common sense and while the locals may think that all foreigners are filthy rich anyway, wearing flashy jewellery when out and about is not a good idea.
  
- Top -



• What are some popular festivals in Wuhan?

  The popular festivals in Wuhan, such as Chinese New Year, the Mid-Autumn Festival and the Wuhan International Tourist Festival, are times to be more aware of your surroundings for fear of being scammed, touted or having your pocket felt.

- Top -



• Something you should notice about Wuhans traffic

  Many shopping streets are pedestrianised although Wuhan does have a traffic problem, as with elsewhere in the country, and the locals are not known for their courtesy C dont expect a red pedestrian traffic light to mean that a driver would actually stop.

- Top -



• How to communicate with the local people?

  The local people speak Wuhan dialect, which is not too difficult to understand if you speak Chinese Mandarin. Usually they speak aloud and fast, but they are always ready to help. Do remember showing your smile first.

- Top -