Shaanxi History Museum
Shaanxi Sheng
Shaanxi History Museum, located in Xi'an's Yanta District near the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda, is a premier national museum of China established in 1991. It features a palace courtyard architectural style covering nearly 7 hectares with 55,600 square meters of building space. The museum's extensive collection includes over 1.7 million artifacts ranging from prehistoric times to the Qing dynasty, emphasizing key dynasties such as Zhou, Qin, Han, and Tang. Exhibits are arranged chronologically across multiple halls, with special focus on Shaanxi's historical significance as the cradle of Chinese civilization and the ancient capitals it hosted. The museum also houses the Tang Dynasty Mural Gallery, a collaboration with the Italian government, displaying rare and well-preserved tomb murals using modern preservation technology. Highlights include exquisite bronze, jade, gold, and silver artifacts, as well as unique pieces like the Tang dynasty silver horse-shaped wine vessel and agate beast-head cup. As China's first large-scale modern museum with advanced facilities, it serves as a vital center for cultural preservation and education.
Plan your trip to China, People's Republic of with AI
Create a detailed itinerary in minutes. AI suggests the best places, restaurants, and an optimized route.
Tip: Visitors are advised to arrive early to avoid crowds and to allocate at least two hours to fully explore the extensive exhibits. Purchasing tickets in advance is recommended, especially for the popular Tang Dynasty Mural Gallery. The museum offers discounts for students, seniors, and groups. The best time to visit is during weekdays and outside major Chinese holidays to enjoy a more tranquil experience. Photography is generally allowed without flash, but check specific exhibit rules. Guided tours are available and enrich the understanding of the artifacts and Shaanxi's history.
Interesting facts
- •The museum's collection exceeds 1.7 million artifacts spanning over one million years of history.
- •The Tang Dynasty Mural Gallery was created in cooperation with the Italian government and uses advanced technology to protect delicate tomb murals.
- •Some artifacts, like the Tang dynasty silver horse-shaped wine vessel and the agate beast-head cup, are nationally protected and prohibited from being exhibited abroad.
- •The museum occupies nearly 7 hectares with an architectural style inspired by traditional Chinese palaces, featuring four corner towers and a central axis.
- •It is the first large-scale modern museum in China with state-of-the-art facilities opened in 1991.
History
The Shaanxi History Museum was conceived in 1977 to address space constraints at the original Shaanxi Provincial Museum (now Xi'an Beilin Museum).
Construction began in 1986 and the museum officially opened in June 1991 as China's first large-scale modern museum with contemporary facilities.
Its architecture follows a traditional palace courtyard design, symbolizing Shaanxi's imperial heritage.
Over the decades, the museum has expanded its collection and exhibition scope, including the 2011 opening of the Tang Dynasty Mural Gallery, reflecting ongoing efforts to preserve and showcase Shaanxi's rich archaeological and cultural treasures.
Place Guide
First Exhibition Hall
Features artifacts from prehistoric times to the Qin dynasty, including displays titled 'Farewell of the Ape Man', 'Phoenix Singing at Qishan', and 'Eastern Empire'.
Second Exhibition Hall
Showcases relics from the Han dynasty to the Southern and Northern Dynasties, divided into 'Great Han Majesty' and 'Conflict and Fusion' sections.
Third Exhibition Hall
Displays artifacts from the Tang dynasty and later periods, featuring sections called 'Flourishing Tang Atmosphere' and 'Farewell to the Imperial Capital'.
Tang Dynasty Mural Gallery2011
A specialized gallery opened in 2011 showcasing 97 rare and precious tomb murals from the Tang dynasty, preserved using modern technology to prevent damage.
Contact
Phone: 029 8525 3806