Suizhou Museum

Suizhou Museum

Established in October 1978 at the beginning of China’s “reform and opening-up,” Suizhou City Museum is a comprehensive local museum integrating cultural relic collection, scientific research, public education, archaeology, and chime bell performances. After several relocations, on December 8, 2008, a striking new museum emerged by the scenic Jueshui River and the fascinating Leigudun. With an investment of nearly 100 million yuan, covering an area of 118 mu, a construction area of over 20,000 square meters, and an exhibition area of 8,000 square meters, the museum features the architectural style of the Zeng and Sui states.

The museum was first built in October 1978 as a comprehensive local institution that combines cultural relic collection, scientific research, exhibitions, and chime bell performances. It currently houses 306,140 cultural relics, including 76 first-class national relics, 68 second-class, and 95 third-class.

Notable items include 36 chime bells unearthed from Leigudun Tomb No. 2, a bronze dui with diamond-patterned linked cloud motifs from the Wujiawu Cemetery, a bronze bo with phoenix-patterned flanges from Sanligang Maojiachong, a group of bronze artifacts from the E State excavated at Anyi Yangzishan, as well as a collection of Zeng State bronzes from cemeteries such as Yidi Gang in the eastern suburbs, Xujiazui in Anju, Liujiaya in Jun Chuan, Xiongjia Lao in Jun Chuan, and Leigudun in the western suburbs. There are also Han Dynasty bamboo slips discovered at Kongjiapo in the northern suburbs. These exquisitely crafted relics are considered the museum’s crown jewels.

The museum currently hosts special exhibitions such as the “General History Exhibition,” “Exhibition of Relics Unearthed from Leigudun Tomb No. 2,” “Calligraphy and Painting Exhibition by Celebrity Artists,” and “Exhibition of Repatriated Cultural Relics by the Suizhou Public Security Bureau.” Many distinguished domestic and international visitors have left ink inscriptions after their tours, such as: “Magnificent and delightful to the eye” (--inscription), “A treasure trove of nature’s finest” (--inscription), “Suizhou Chime Bells, a world treasure” (--inscription), “Essence with divine charm” (--inscription), “Listening to ancient music in the homeland of ancient melodies, the sounds of China echoing across the land” (inscription by Xiao Ke), “Immortal legacy, a world wonder” (inscription by Hu Sheng), “Soul of Music” (inscription by Shen Peng), “A marvel that stunned the world, timeless tones that moved the heavens” (inscription by Han Shaoyu), “Soul of the Bells” (inscription by Zeng Xiangxi), and “Incredible, beyond belief, heavenly music from a divine instrument...” (inscription by New Zealander Rewi Alley).

In May 2009, Suizhou Museum was awarded the national “Second-Class Museum” designation by the National Cultural Heritage Administration. It now houses 4,238 cultural relics, including 39 first-class relics (sets), 231 second-class (sets), and 436 third-class (sets). The collection is characterized by a rich abundance of Shang and Zhou dynasty bronzes, earning it the reputation as the “Kingdom of Bronzes,” with the Western Zhou E State bronze group and the Spring and Autumn–Warring States Zeng State bronze group as its prized treasures.

The museum boasts an extremely rich collection of cultural relics, forming a profound treasure trove of history. With ongoing infrastructure development, the number of unearthed and acquired relics continues to grow. Particularly notable are its vast quantity, complete variety, rich connotations, and broad chronological span of bronze ware, all masterfully cast, ranking it among the best in the nation and earning the title “Kingdom of Bronzes.” The Zeng State bronze collection, in particular, provides crucial physical evidence for the study of Zeng culture and the relationship between the Zeng and Chu states. The exquisite Warring States-period diamond-patterned linked cloud motif bronze dui stands as the finest of its kind ever excavated in China. The 36 chime bells unearthed from Leigudun Tomb No. 2 in Suizhou are even more precious, with tonal quality and intervals matching those of the Marquis Yi of Zeng’s chime bells, hence referred to as their “sister bells.” These bells have been performed in the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, France, Japan, Denmark, Switzerland, and other countries, showcasing China’s splendid historical culture.

The museum is built against Leigudun, designed with a main hall and two auxiliary halls in a garden-style layout. It adopts the architectural style of the Chu State, featuring elements such as a “platform,” “hall,” and “multiple platforms,” with the exterior highlighting the characteristics of a “Chu city” and “chime bells.” At the same time, it is a modern exhibition facility equipped with advanced facilities. Ascending the trapezoidal steps, visitors enter the first-floor main hall, which consists of a grand lobby and rest area. Further inside is an exhibition hall spanning over 1,100 square meters, behind which are office and storage areas. On either side of the exhibition hall are additional galleries, each over 600 square meters. The two auxiliary halls to the south and north are mainly designed as exhibition spaces of over 1,000 square meters and chime bell performance halls. The second floor of the main hall includes three exhibition rooms and two smaller treasures galleries, covering a total area of over 1,500 square meters.

The five Chinese characters “Suizhou Museum” were inscribed by Qian Weichang, a renowned Chinese scientist and academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

The museum currently hosts special exhibitions such as the “General History Exhibition,” “Exhibition of Relics Unearthed from Leigudun Tomb No. 2,” “Calligraphy and Painting Exhibition by Celebrity Artists,” and “Exhibition of Repatriated Cultural Relics by the Suizhou Public Security Bureau.”

The “General History Exhibition” showcases the full scope of ancient civilization in Suizhou. Stone and pottery artifacts from the Neolithic Age reveal the hardships of pioneering history; the comprehensive range of Shang and Zhou bronzes, rich in inscriptions, has earned the region the title “Kingdom of Bronzes,” and their evolution reflects the wisdom of ancient laborers. Especially notable are the Zeng State bronze group, which provides key material evidence for studying Zeng culture and the Zeng-Chu relationship. The exquisite Warring States diamond-patterned linked cloud motif bronze dui ranks as the finest of its kind ever excavated in China. Eastern Han Dynasty terracotta figurines of Hu people illustrate ethnic integration, while Sui and Tang gold and silverware demonstrate the unprecedented prosperity of the dynasties. Fine porcelain from the Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties shines brilliantly.

The “Exhibition of Relics Unearthed from Leigudun Tomb No. 2” primarily displays bronze ritual vessels, musical instruments, jade artifacts, and chariot and horse fittings from Leigudun Tomb No. 2 in Suizhou. Among them, the 36 chime bells are the most precious, with sound quality and pitch matching those of the Marquis Yi of Zeng’s chime bells, capable of performing a wide range of ancient and modern melodies from China and abroad, thus known as the “sister bells” of the Marquis Yi’s bells. Artifacts from Leigudun Tomb No. 2 have been performed in the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, France, Japan, Denmark, Switzerland, and other countries, showcasing China’s splendid historical culture.

The “Calligraphy and Painting Exhibition by Celebrity Artists” displays ink inscriptions left by distinguished domestic and international visitors. Examples include: “Magnificent and delightful to the eye” (--inscription), “A treasure trove of nature’s finest” (--inscription), “Suizhou Chime Bells, a world treasure” (--inscription), “Essence with divine charm” (--inscription), “Listening to ancient music in the homeland of ancient melodies, the sounds of China echoing across the land” (inscription by Xiao Ke), “Immortal legacy, a world wonder” (inscription by Hu Sheng), “Soul of Music” (inscription by Shen Peng), “A marvel that stunned the world, timeless tones that moved the heavens” (inscription by Han Shaoyu), “Soul of the Bells” (inscription by Zeng Xiangxi), and “Incredible, beyond belief, heavenly music from a divine instrument” (inscription by New Zealander Louis Alley).

The “Exhibition of Repatriated Cultural Relics by the Suizhou Public Security Bureau” displays precious cultural relics recovered in recent years by Suizhou police from illegal traffickers, making significant contributions to the protection of the nation’s historical and cultural heritage. Among the repatriated items are “dinosaur egg fossils” dating back two hundred million years, bronzes from the Western Zhou, Spring and Autumn, and Warring States periods, as well as Han Dynasty painted pottery, coins, and Ming and Qing stone sculptures.

Suizhou Museum has contributed to the compilation of specialized works such as “Record of Cultural Relics and Historical Sites Survey in Xiangfan City,” “Xihua Garden and Miaotaizi,” “Splendid Zengdu History and Culture,” “The Mysterious Leigudun,” and “Historic and Cultural City of Suizhou.” Researchers at the museum have published over 140 papers over the years.

Suizhou Museum was established in October 1978 at the beginning of China’s “reform and opening-up.” On December 8, 2008, it relocated to its new building and opened to the public free of charge.

1. All permanent and special exhibitions at Suizhou Museum are open to the public free of charge.

2. Free admission hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 9:00–16:00; closed on Mondays (except statutory holidays).

3. Chime Bell Music and Dance Performances. Scheduled showtimes: 10:30 AM and 3:30 PM, each lasting 20–30 minutes (minimum 10 attendees per show). Tickets can be purchased at the ticket booth next to the chime bell performance hall. Private performances are also available upon reservation.

Suizhou Qinghe Road, Second Bridgehead

Postal Code: 441300

Inquiry & Reservation Phone: 0722-3810518

Further Reading:

· China’s National First-Class Museums