Chaozhou Museum

Chaozhou Museum

The Chaozhou Museum is located on the side of the main road behind Chaozhou Central Square.

The basement level features an exhibition of the museum’s collection of stone carvings, showcasing stonework from Chaozhou during the Ming and Qing dynasties.

The second floor displays treasures from the recent Lingnan Treasure Appraisal event, which are well worth seeing.

Next to the museum is the photography art exhibition hall of renowned photographer Chen Fuli. The photos span several decades and include rare masterpieces. It is highly recommended that you visit to admire and learn from them.

The museum has three thematic exhibitions:

"Chaozhou General History Exhibition": Utilizing a wealth of artifacts, charts, photographs, and modern light and image technology, the exhibition divides and organizes significant archaeological discoveries and unearthed relics from various historical periods in Chaozhou. It reflects the development of cultural exchange and integration between the local culture and the Central Plains as well as neighboring regions, showcasing Chaozhou’s long history and vibrant cultural richness.

"Historical Imperial Examination Exhibition": Using detailed materials such as statues, examination cells, and images, it scientifically and systematically introduces the general situation and influence of the imperial examination system in Chaozhou through the ages. It recounts how Chaozhou scholars actively participated in imperial examinations, producing stories of success such as eight top scholars in one examination, siblings passing in succession, and a family with three Jinshi degree holders. It also highlights top-ranking talents from Chaozhou in imperial examinations, such as the civil examination top scholar Lin Dachen, second place Wang Dabao, and third place Yao Hongzhong, as well as martial examination top scholars Lin Deyong and Huang Renyong.

"The Sacred Journey of Confucius Exhibition": Using precious images and statues, it introduces the extraordinary life of Confucius and his contributions to Chinese and even world culture. The central hall of the Dacheng Palace enshrines a statue of Confucius and four accompanying statues, with twelve revered philosophers honored on the sides. Above the statues hang large plaques inscribed by three Qing emperors: in the center is “Model Teacher for Ten Thousand Generations” written by Emperor Kangxi, flanked by “Never Before Seen Among People” by Emperor Yongzheng and “Matching Heaven and Earth” by Emperor Qianlong. The spacious front corridor displays ritual and musical instruments used in ceremonies. Performances of the eight-row Confucius worship ceremony are also held periodically, allowing visitors to more vividly understand the exhibition content and appreciate the traditional dance art of their ancestors.

In addition, there is the "Seven Days of Red Chaozhou Exhibition" located at the former site of the headquarters of the Third Division of the Nanchang Uprising Army—the Hanbi Building: The exhibition uses a rich collection of artifacts, documents, photographs, charts, and related materials to systematically introduce the important period in modern Chaozhou’s revolutionary history from September 23 to September 30, 1927. In September 1927, the Nanchang Uprising troops moved from Fujian to Guangdong. The armies of Ye Ting and He Long advanced directly into Chaozhou, entering the city on September 23. The headquarters of the Third Division under He Long was stationed at Hanbi Building, where division commander Zhou Yiqun and others directed battles. On September 30, the uprising troops made a strategic relocation. This seven-day period is historically known as the “Seven Days of Red Chaozhou.” During this time, the uprising forces established a red government in Chaozhou, punished counter-revolutionaries, and sowed the seeds of revolution.

The building also differs. Inside, besides a large safe for storing valuables, there are multiple-tiered shelves for keeping pawned goods. The goods building itself is built like a watchtower, with its foundation constructed from granite and steel plates in between. The walls are especially thick and made of blue bricks. Each floor of the goods building has small, gun-slit-like iron-barred windows on all four sides, framed with granite. The entire building's design aims to achieve fireproofing, waterproofing, theft-proofing, and protection against bandits.

Address: Changli Road, Xiangqiao District, Chaozhou City, Guangdong Province, China

Tel: 0768-2231362

Admission: Free entry

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