Yixing Museum

Yixing Museum

Covering a total construction area of 25,000 square meters, Yixing Museum is one of the largest at the county level in mainland China. It features seven independent exhibition halls—including the General History Hall, Modern Celebrities Hall, Local Customs Hall, Yin Shoushi Collection Hall, and Famous Teas and Teapots Hall—as well as two temporary exhibition spaces. The museum houses a complete and diverse collection of artifacts, with highlights including ceramics, bronze mirrors, and Buddhist relics unearthed from Fayu Temple. These collections comprehensively showcase Yixing’s profound history, exceptional talent, and cultural richness.

Since its groundbreaking in October 2010, Yixing Museum began soliciting collections from the public in May 2013, and commenced trial operations in October 2016. After more than six years of construction and over two months of trial operation, the museum was officially completed and opened to the public. With a total floor space of 25,000 square meters, Yixing Museum is the only comprehensive museum in the region that fully reflects the local history and culture. It is tasked with collecting, preserving, researching, exhibiting, and promoting Yixing’s urban heritage. To enrich its collection, the museum’s preparatory office was established in 2013, organizing ten public donation events and sourcing artifacts from places such as Taiwan and Beijing, ultimately gathering nearly 3,000 items. Additionally, events like the “Yi Bo Lecture Series” and themed activities for “International Museum Day on May 18” were held to engage various sectors and promote museum culture.

Through its rich collection of artifacts and local historical documents, the General History Hall not only traces Yixing’s historical development but also showcases its 7,000-year ceramic industry history—from typical pottery of the Neolithic Age, pottery from the Han Dynasty, celadon from the Six Dynasties period, Buddhist relics from the Song Dynasty, to purple clay, Jun porcelain, and ceramics from the Ming and Qing Dynasties.

Further Reading:

· National Second-Class Museum of China