Changzhou Museum

　　   Changzhou Museum was founded in 1958 and is a comprehensive local museum that combines collection, research, and exhibition (featuring the only children's natural history museum in the province). It consists of eight departments: General Office, Archaeology Department, Conservation Department, Exhibition Department, Public Services Department, Natural History Department, Information Department, and Security Department. The museum houses over 20,000 cultural relics, including 27 first-class national relics (one of which is a national treasure), 166 second-class relics, 3,129 third-class relics, and 103 first- and second-class protected animal, plant, and fossil specimens. Among these, the jade artifacts from the Liangzhu culture period, primitive celadon ware from the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods, lacquerware and ceramics from the Song and Yuan dynasties, and paintings and calligraphy from the Ming and Qing dynasties are among the museum’s most distinctive and high-quality collections.

　　   Over the years, with broad support from all sectors of society and the joint efforts of generations of museum professionals, the museum has been awarded honors such as “Jiangsu Provincial Patriotic Education Base,” “National Advanced Collective in Cultural Relics Security,” and “Outstanding Museum in Jiangsu Province.”

　　   In its 50 years of existence, the museum has relocated three times—from Hongmei Pavilion to Tianning Temple, and then to Qingliang Temple—each time under relatively rudimentary conditions that were not suitable for the exhibition, preservation, and research of its collections. Therefore, building a modern Changzhou Museum was listed as one of the major projects in the development of modern service industries by the municipal Party committee and government.

　　   The new Changzhou Museum was completed in December 2006 and officially opened to the public on April 28, 2007. Located on the west side of Civic Square, the museum covers a construction area of 20,000 square meters. It features a novel exterior, complete facilities, advanced functions, and a contemporary atmosphere. The overall structure consists of five floors: four above ground and one underground. Floors one to three are exhibition areas, while the basement and fourth floor house storage and office spaces. The new museum’s exhibition space covers nearly 10,000 square meters. Major exhibitions include: the Changzhou Historical and Cultural Exhibition, highlighting premium cultural relics from Changzhou and showcasing local cultural heritage; the Natural History Exhibition, a distinctive feature among comprehensive museums in the province; the Xie Zhiliu Art Gallery, displaying the artistic journey and achievements of Mr. Xie Zhiliu; and the Liu Guojun Redwood Furniture Donation Exhibition, featuring a rare and precious full set of redwood furniture. The museum also hosts various types of temporary exhibitions on different themes.

　　   Changzhou Museum, with its brand-new look, warmly welcomes visitors from home and abroad.

　　   Address: No. 1288 Longcheng Avenue, Xinbei District, Changzhou

　　   Type: Museum

　　   Rating: AAAA

　　   Recommended visiting time: 2–3 hours

　　   Phone: 0519-85165080

　　   Official website: http://www.czmuseum.com/

　　   Opening hours:

　　   9:00–17:00 (last entry at 16:00), closed on Mondays.

　　   Ticket information:

　　   Free admission. Visitors may collect a free ticket at the museum entrance on the day of their visit and then enter for the tour. Daily visitor numbers are limited to below 2,000.