Recently, the list of the fifth batch of national first-class museums in China was unveiled, including five museums in Guangdong, namely the Memorial Museum of Generalissimo Sun Yat-sen's Mansion, Guangdong Museum of Revolutionary History (Guangzhou Modern History Museum), Memorial Museum of 1911 Revolution, Zumiao Museum (Ancestral Temple), and Jiangmen Museum.
Before that, Guangdong had 10 national first-class museums.
May 18 marks the International Museum Day. Here is a guide for you to embark on a cultural journey in these 5 museums!
Memorial Museum of Generalissimo Sun Yat-sen's Mansion, Guangzhou (孙中山大元帅府纪念馆)
Located on the southern bank of the Pearl River, the former site of Generalissimo Sun Yat-sen's Mansion has been transformed into a memorial museum. Between 1917 and 1925, Dr. Sun established the revolutionary government twice in this mansion.
(Photo: Memorial Museum of Generalissimo Sun Yat-sen's Mansion)
The complex comprises two Victorian-style buildings, displaying Guangzhou's history of the revolutionary era and offering insights into the life and great deeds of the forerunner of China's democratic revolution.
(Photo: Memorial Museum of Generalissimo Sun Yat-sen's Mansion)
Ongoing exhibition: Wisdom from China - Chinese Export Porcelain's Influence on the West
(Photo provided to GDToday)
Opening hours: 8:30 to 17:30 (closed on Monday)
Add.: No. 18, Dongsha Street, Fangzhi Road, Haizhu District, Guangzhou (广州市海珠区纺织路东沙街18号)
Guangdong Museum of Revolutionary History, Guangzhou (广东革命历史博物馆)
Guangdong Museum of Revolutionary History (Guangzhou Modern History Museum) is an important revolutionary site. For instance, after the outbreak of the Wuchang Uprising on October 10, 1911, revolutionaries in Guangdong gathered here to declare the independence of Guangdong.
(Photo: Guangdong Museum of Revolutionary History)
This thematic museum collects over 65,000 cultural relics and documents as well as 25,000 historical photos, presenting Guangdong's revolutionary history over the past century.
(Photo: Nanfang Daily)
Opening hours: 9:00 to 17:30 (closed on Monday)
Add. (Guangzhou Modern History Museum): No.2, Lingyuan West Road, Yuexiu District, Guangzhou (广州市越秀区陵园西路2号)
Memorial Museum of 1911 Revolution, Guangzhou (辛亥革命纪念馆)
Xinhai Revolution Memorial Hall, located on Changzhou Island in Guangzhou's Huangpu District, was established in 2011 on the occasion of the 100th Anniversary of the 1911 Revolution (or Xinhai Revolution).
(Photo: Memorial Museum of 1911 Revolution)
Two exhibitions are set up in the hall, each themed on the 1911 Xinhai Revolution and famous people in Guangdong. Through the handwriting, oil paintings, sculptures, and photos, visitors can catch a glimpse of the great changes in modern Chinese society.
(Photo: Memorial Museum of 1911 Revolution)
Furthermore, a batch of bronze statues are set up on the two sides of a long corridor, depicting revolutionists like Zou Rong, Lu Haodong, Qiu Jin, and Cai Yuanpei.
(Photo: Nanfang Daily)
Opening hours: 9:00 to 17:00 (closed on Monday)
Add.: No. 563 Jinzhou North Road, Changzhou Island, Huangpu District, Guangzhou (广州市黄埔区长洲金洲北路563号)
Zumiao Museum, Foshan (佛山祖庙博物馆)
Built during the Northern Song Dynasty (1078-1085), the Zumiao (Ancestral Temple) is the epitome of Foshan's history and culture. It features ancient buildings with ceramic images on the eaves, regular Cantonese opera and lion dance performances, as well as the memorial halls of Kung Fu masters Ip Man and Wong Fei-hung.
(Photo: Zumiao Museum)
To celebrate International Museum Day, Zumiao Museum will hold a local version of the "Museum and Relevant Products and Technologies Exposition" from May 17 to 19. Meanwhile, from May 17 to June 23, visitors can also enjoy an exhibition on the inscription and documents of Zumiao and an exhibition featuring 101 Shiwan ceramic sculptures.
(Photo: Zumiao Museum)
Opening hours: 8:30 to 18:00 (closed on Monday)
Tickets: 20 yuan (50 percent discount offered on May 17-19)
Add.: No.21 Zumiao Road, Chancheng District, Foshan (佛山市禅城区祖庙路21号)
Jiangmen Museum (江门市博物馆)
Jiangmen Museum is a comprehensive museum that oversees the China Qiaodu Museum of Overseas Chinese, Chen Baisha Memorial Hall, the old site of Xinning Railway Beijie Station, the former site of Diaotai Courtyard, and other venues.
The China Qiaodu Museum of Overseas Chinese houses more than 40,000 pieces (sets) of cultural relics, including passports, Qiaopi (comprising a letter and a remittance certificate, which served as a bond between Chinese emigrants and their families back home), and other collections.
(Photo: Jiangmen Municipal Culture, Radio, Television, Tourism and Sports Bureau)
Chen Baisha was a local scholar during the Ming Dynasty who was enshrined in the Confucian Temple. At the Chen Baisha Memorial Hall, visitors can not only learn about Chen's life story, but also experience calligraphy using the Maolong brush created by Chen and rubbing art.
(Photo: Jiangmen Municipal Culture, Radio, Television, Tourism and Sports Bureau)
Opening hours: 9:00 to 17:00 (closed on Monday)
Add.:
China Qiaodu Museum of Overseas Chinese: 132 meters southwest of the intersection of Fazhan Avenue and Guangchang East Road, Pengjiang District, Jiangmen (江门市蓬江区发展大道与广场东路交叉口西南方向132米)
Chen Baisha Memorial Hall: No.37 Baisha Avenue West, Pengjiang District, Jiangmen (江门市蓬江区白沙大道西37号)
Reporter: Holly
Poster: Lulu
Editor: Will, Monica, James
