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Hunan Museum
Introducing Hunan Museum
Hunan Museum is a provincial museum located in Changsha. Hunan Museum is renowned for its extensive collection of artifacts that showcase the rich history and cultural heritage of the region.
Established in the early 1950s, the museum houses a diverse collection spanning millennia, from prehistoric times to the modern era. It is particularly renowned for its exquisitely preserved artifacts from the Mawangdui Han Dynasty Tombs, including the remarkably intact mummy of Lady Dai and a wealth of silk textiles, lacquerware, and medical texts. In addition to the Mawangdui treasures, the museum features significant collections of bronzeware, ceramics, calligraphy, paintings, and artifacts related to the region’s revolutionary history, providing a comprehensive picture of Hunan’s artistic, historical, and social development.
Hunan Museum Fast Facts
• AKA: Hunan Provincial Museum
• Chinese Name: Hú Nán Bó Wù Yuàn 湖南博物院
• Area: 110,556 square meters (27.3 acres)
• Best Time to Visit: All year around
• Recommended Visiting Hours: About 3 to 4 hours
• Things to Do: Photography, Chinese History and Culture
• Opening Hours: 9:00-17:00 Tuesday to Sunday
• Entrance Fee: Free
• Address: No. 50 Dongfeng Road, Changsha, Hunan Province
What to Expect at Hunan Museum
Having enjoyed the Changsha Museum’s exhibits on the city’s history, consider continuing your exploration of the region at the Hunan Provincial Museum. This museum offers a wider lens on Hunan’s cultural heritage, including the fascinating artifacts from the Mawangdui Tombs, a highly recommended experience.
Hunanese – Exhibition of Hunan History and Culture
This exhibition explores Hunan’s history and culture across five interconnected sections. “Foundations” introduces the Hunan’s natural environment and historical development. “Origins” delves into the people’s ancestry and cultural makeup. “Abundance” examines how natural resources, particularly Dongting Lake, fueled regional prosperity. “Traditions” offers a glimpse into everyday life and customs across different eras. “Legacy” concludes by capturing the resilient, pioneering Hunanese spirit.
A standout piece in the exhibition is a four-horse-supported bronze gui (food container). While its overall form and the animal mask motif on the pedestal share similarities with vessels from other parts of China, the reclining horses on the vessel’s body and the standing horses on its pedestal are unique features rarely seen elsewhere, highlighting the distinctive artistry and craftsmanship of Hunan.
Exhibition of Mawangdui Han Dynasty Tombs
The excavation of the three Western Han Dynasty(202 BC-25 AD) tombs at Mawangdui, Changsha, from 1972 to 1974, stands as one of the most significant archaeological discoveries of the 20th century. The remarkably well-preserved tomb structures and the wealth of funerary objects within offer a vivid snapshot of daily life and funerary practices over 2,100 years ago. Over 700 exquisitely crafted lacquerware pieces showcase the remarkable artistry of the period, while more than 500 elaborate textile garments provide compelling evidence for the “Kingdom of Silk” (Seres) described in Western historical accounts. Furthermore, the discovery of over 50 bamboo slips and silk manuscripts, veritable “encyclopedias” of knowledge, offers insights into the wisdom of ancient scholars. Intriguing and fantastical coffin paintings depict Han Dynasty beliefs about ascending to the heavens and the pursuit of immortality, while the remarkably lifelike face of a deceased woman (Lady Dai) testifies to the sophisticated preservation techniques of the time.
The Tomb of Lady Dai
Lady Dai, also known as Xin Zhui (辛追夫人), was a Han Dynasty noblewoman who lived during the reign of Emperor Wen (202 BC–9 AD). She was the wife of Li Cang, the Marquis of Dai, and held the title of Marquise of Dai herself. Her tomb, designated Mawangdui Tomb No. 1, was airtight and contained over 1,000 meticulously preserved artifacts, including elaborate silk garments, cosmetics, toiletries, musical instruments, lacquerware, and a wide array of food items intended to sustain her in the afterlife.
However, the most astonishing discovery was Lady Dai herself. Her body was found submerged in a mysterious reddish fluid within multiple nested coffins. This fluid, along with the airtight seal of the tomb, contributed to the remarkable preservation of her remains. Her skin remained supple, her limbs were still flexible, her internal organs were largely intact, and analysis revealed the presence of type A blood markers in some of her blood vessels. This level of preservation is unprecedented for a 2,000-year-old body, making Lady Dai a significant figure in archaeological history and a unique window into ancient China.
How to Get to Hunan Museum
• By Bus: Take bus 3 to Hunanbowuyuan (Hunan Museum) Station.
• By Subway: Take subway line 6 to Xiangyayiyuan (Xiangya Hospital) Station.
Additional Travel Advice on Hunan Museum
• The museum is closed on Mondays except for public holidays.
• It is not allowed to use flash, selfie sticks or tripod in the museum.
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