Jiaxing Ship Culture Museum

Jiaxing Ship Culture Museum

Eight thousand years of boat culture, ancient and modern heritage of the water town. The Jiaxing Ship Culture Museum in Zhejiang Province is located by the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal, outside Shuixi Gate in Jiaxing City. Its main building resembles a giant ship docked at port, with boarding gangways nestled alongside and rotating waterwheels reminiscent of ancient paddle-wheel boats. In front of the museum entrance, the waterfront Canal Square features cascading fountains, towering sails, and three fishing boats from the East China Sea lined up in the canal, vividly evoking the atmosphere of a fishing village and a land of ships.

The exhibition content of the Ship Culture Museum is divided into four major sections: the History of Boats, the Charm of Boats in the Water Town, the World of Famous Ships, and Maritime Technology. The lobby showcases a canal cargo boat with masts piercing the ceiling, while a 15-meter-long enlarged panoramic scroll painting, “Along the River During the Qingming Festival,” is inlaid along the circular wall. The first-floor exhibition hall presents a concise history of boats, with eight large display cases telling eight fascinating stories. The second-floor exhibition hall highlights the charm of the water town, vividly depicting the customs and lifestyle of riverside households in the Jiangnan water region, where boats lie by the river and villages are framed by willows—a setting rich in both educational value and visual appeal. The third-floor exhibition hall displays Famous Ships and Naval Vessels, divided into four sections: ancient Chinese ships, ancient Western ships, modern warships, and contemporary civilian vessels. The exquisitely crafted models showcase numerous scientific and technological achievements in world maritime history, and also represent humanity’s outstanding endeavors to explore and harness nature.

In the science education exhibition hall, eight computer screens display knowledge about ship structures, navigation and propulsion principles, and maritime exploration. Young visitors can also participate in naval battle games here. A highlight of the museum is its high-tech, large-scale ship driving simulator. Visitors can board, enter the cabin, and take the helm to cruise around South Lake and the Jiangnan Canal in Jiaxing, paddle through the water town ancient towns of Xitang and Wuzhen, navigate the Huangpu River in Shanghai, and even voyage out to the deep sea. The realistic water scenes, the roar of the engine, the crashing waves, and the thrill of near-collisions create an immersive experience that leaves visitors dizzy, breathless, and with racing hearts. This simulator also serves functions for crew training and examination.

The Ship Culture Museum boasts rich exhibits, innovative presentation methods, and a high level of modern technology, with impressive audiovisual and electromagnetic effects. A complete multimedia system allows visitors to see, hear, touch, and interact, fully immersing them in the world of rivers, lakes, and seas, where they can appreciate the charm of ships and deeply experience the cultural essence of shipbuilding.

Address: No. 36 Zhaye Road, Nanhu District, Jiaxing City

Type: Museum

Recommended visiting time: 30–60 minutes

Phone: 0573-82131982

Opening hours:

9:00–12:00, 13:30–17:00, closed on Mondays.

Ticket information:

Door price: 20.0 RMB