Liangzhu Culture Museum

Liangzhu Culture Museum

The Liangzhu Culture Museum is located in Gaoqiao Town, Yinzhou District. It is a love-themed park centered around the ancient Chinese folktale of Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai—one of the Four Great Folktales of China, often hailed as the "Romeo and Juliet of the East." This site is considered the birthplace of the Liangzhu love story.

The Liangzhu story originated during the Eastern Jin Dynasty, with a history of over 1,600 years. According to many local chronicles across China and historical materials from Ningbo, Liang Shanbo was a native of Kuaiji, Shaoxing, who served as the county magistrate in Yin County (now Yinzhou District). He passed away due to overwork and was buried at Jiulongxu in Qingdaoyuan (Liangzhu Park).

The Liangzhu Cultural Park is set against the beautiful backdrop of the Liangzhu love legend, promoting their romance as its cultural essence. Based on key episodes from the story—such as "The Grass Bridge Oath," "Three Years as Classmates," "Farewell at the Eighteen Mile Pavilion," "The Tower Meeting," "Tomb Sacrifice and Union," and "Butterflies Forever Together"—the park features classical Jiangnan-style architecture including pavilions, terraces, towers, and gazebos. Nestled within the landscape, it includes structures such as Wansong Academy, Butterfly Love Garden, Bailin Road, Couple’s Bridge, Phoenix Mountain, and a large 30-acre music plaza for the Butterfly Transformation performance.

The entire museum complex centers on the Liang Shanbo Temple, covering an area of over 300 acres to form a grand love-themed park. The temple, with its upturned eaves and flying rafters, consists of a gate tower, main hall, and rear hall. Inside the temple stands a seated statue of Liang Shanbo, wearing a tall hat and wide sash, exuding vitality. On the right is a seated statue of Zhu Yingtai, adorned in a phoenix coronet and bridal veil, embodying the serene demeanor of a Jiangnan woman. The rear hall serves as the couple's bridal chamber, featuring a red wooden bed. Behind the chamber lies the shared tomb of Liang and Zhu, marked by twin tombs and twin steles, also known as the "Butterfly Stele Tomb." The park also houses an elaborate, towering traditional opera stage. Along the winding corridors, there is a forest of stone tablets inscribed with calligraphy related to the Liangzhu culture, featuring precious works by many renowned calligraphers from across China. These complement the nearby study courtyard, creating an antique garden atmosphere that epitomizes the charm of Jiangnan-style landscaping. Additionally, the museum includes the "Eighteen Mile Farewell Path," the Butterfly Love Garden, and a music plaza, along with a sculpture depicting the transformation of Liang and Zhu into butterflies. In eastern Zhejiang folklore, Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai are revered as guardians of love, with the saying, "If you wish to grow old together with your spouse, pay a visit to Liang Shanbo Temple." The museum hosts the annual China Liangzhu Wedding Culture Festival, helping to promote Ningbo’s “Liangzhu Love Brand.”