Changchun World Sculpture Park

Changchun World Sculpture Park

Changchun World Sculpture Park is a National AAAAA-level Tourist Attraction.

Changchun World Sculpture Park was established in 2001, covering an area of 92 hectares. It officially opened to the public on September 5, 2003, was rated as a National AAAA-level Tourist Attraction in 2004, and was among the first batch of National Key Parks in 2007. Through events such as the Changchun International Sculpture Invitational Exhibition, the park has gathered 452 pieces (sets) of sculptures created by 402 sculptors from 216 countries and regions. The works showcase cultural characteristics from different nations, ethnicities, regions, and historical periods, featuring a rich variety of materials and diverse styles, making it a veritable garden of world sculpture.

In September 2011, the Songshan Hanrong African Art Collection Museum officially opened to the public. Located at the east gate of the sculpture park, the museum has a construction area of 5,640 square meters and features three major exhibition halls: “Artistic Africa,” “Charming Africa,” and “Black Africa,” each showcasing unique aspects of African culture through different themes. The museum houses 12,000 exquisite artworks including carvings and paintings from southeastern African countries such as Tanzania, Mozambique, Malawi, and Zambia. It comprehensively records nearly 50 years of modern art development in East Africa, serves as a hub for African Makonde woodcarvings in China, and is the museum with the largest quantity, most comprehensive variety, and highest artistic level of Makonde woodcarvings in the country.

[Park Highlights]

Architectural Features. The museum was designed by renowned Chinese architect Mr. He Jingtang. Its unique structure boasts a strong sense of the times and distinct African characteristics. Paired with the expansive outdoor views, it forms a striking scenic attraction.

Collection Features. The museum houses over 500 pieces of Makonde woodcarvings from Africa. The Makonde people, residing along the Ruvuma River in southern Tanzania, have a woodcarving tradition that reflects specific African historical and cultural elements, making it a vibrant artistic gem blooming in Africa. Makonde woodcarvings mainly use ebony, wenge, and rosewood. The hard materials, after carving and polishing, take on a metallic-like quality, creating rare works of art. These carvings fall into four categories: Sitatunga (spiritual figures), which are profound, bizarre in shape, totem-like, and highly revered by local artists; Cloud Forms, which are improvised creations inspired by sky clouds, featuring diverse shapes and smooth outlines, representing the most modern-style works of Makonde carvings; Group Carvings, where multiple human figures are carved on a single log, using realistic openwork techniques to depict scenes of family or tribal life and labor—exquisitely carved and vividly shaped, these are exceptional masterpieces of Makonde art; and Utensils, mostly decorative daily items that have become high-end home wall ornaments as the influence of Makonde carvings has grown, beloved by many.

[Functional Roles]

Makonde woodcarvings possess a uniquely mysterious charm. With their simple yet expressive style, rich imagination, and strong visual impact, they have increasingly captured the attention and admiration of people around the world. In 2003, Mr. and Mrs. Li Songshan donated 547 exceptional Makonde woodcarvings, bringing Changchun the most splendid collection of African carving art and injecting new elements into the city’s diverse cultural landscape. Meanwhile, the collection museum not only fulfills its tourism role but also serves the mission of popularizing sculpture culture, spreading art education, and nurturing artistic talent, attracting more and more tourists and professionals for visits, learning, and exchange.

Address: No. 9518 Renmin Street, Changchun City

Phone: 85379008

Further Reading:

· Batch 32 of National AAAAA-level Tourist Attractions (February 2017)