Bozhou Museum

Bozhou Museum

Bozhou Museum is a base for patriotic education.

Bozhou Museum is a regional comprehensive museum in China, located outside the North Gate of Bozhou City. It primarily collects and organizes local historical relics and documents, as well as natural specimens from the region, making it the earliest-established local museum in Anhui Province. The Hua Tuo Memorial Hall in Bozhou is also managed by this museum.

Address: No. 209, Shaohua Avenue, Bozhou City, Anhui Province

Transportation: Take Bus No. 2 from the bus station and get off 50 meters west of Cao’s Park on the north side of the road

Opening Hours: 9:00–16:30 in summer; 8:00–16:00 in winter

(Closed on Mondays)

Postal Code: 236800

Bozhou Museum is built within the famous Huaxi Tower (Flower-Decorated Opera Tower) complex. Originally constructed in the 15th year of the Kangxi reign of the Qing Dynasty (1676 AD), Huaxi Tower isn’t actually named after flowers. It has three names: its official name is “Da Guan Di Miao” (Great Temple of Lord Guan), and it’s also called “Shan Shan Guild Hall.” Since Guan Yu was from Shanxi, merchants from that region built a temple in his honor here. The Huaxi Tower itself was first built in 1676 during the 15th year of Emperor Kangxi’s reign, making it 351 years old. It has witnessed and encapsulated the development history of Shanxi merchants in Bozhou. During the Qianlong era, numerous colorful paintings and carvings were added. Huaxi Tower is renowned both in China and abroad for its exquisite carvings and vibrant painted decorations. The entire building covers an area of 3,163 square meters and consists of several parts: the opera tower, bell tower, drum tower, audience hall, and the main hall of the Great Temple of Lord Guan. It is nicknamed “Huaxi Tower” (Flower Opera Tower) because one courtyard structure is adorned with richly decorated wood carvings and colorful paintings, presenting a flowery and ornate appearance. It is the only well-preserved ancient building in Bozhou City that is over 300 years old. According to the “Record of the Reconstruction of the Great Temple of Lord Guan” from the 38th year of Qianlong’s reign (1773): “The Great Temple of Lord Guan in the northern city of Bozhou was built in the 13th year of the Shunzhi reign of this dynasty (1656), initiated by Wang Bi and Zhu Kongling—both originally from the western frontier but doing business in Bozhou…” After its initial construction, the temple underwent multiple renovations before reaching its current form. Documented renovation activities include: the first in the 2nd year of Kangxi’s reign (1663), the second in the 23rd year (1694), the third in the 52nd year (1713), the fourth in the 19th year of Qianlong’s reign (1754), the fifth in the 31st year (1766), the sixth in the 41st year (1776), with further repairs in the early Daoguang era and mid-Guangxu era. The last known painting and decoration work was done in the 18th year of Guangxu’s reign (1892)—with signatures in the artwork as evidence. These renovation efforts, spanning 260 years, were all funded by merchants from Shanxi and Shaanxi.

Further Reading:

· National Second-Class Museum of China