An Exhibition of Antiquities from Ancient Syria kicked off on July 20 at Guangdong Museum in Guangzhou, and will last until October 20.
It features 210 fine antiquities from nine Syrian museums, including the National Museum of Damascus and Aleppo Museum, and four Chinese museums. The splendid civilization of ancient Syria, spanning the time from the Paleolithic period to the 18th century, unfolds chronologically in five parts, namely, “Dawn”, “Changes”, “Competing for dominance”, “Integration”, and “Dialogue”.
The Syrian Arab Republic, or Syria for short, is located in the western part of the Asian continent, on the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea, with Damascus as its capital. As the birthplace of one of the world’s oldest civilizations, Syria boasts an abundant cultural heritage with numerous ancient cities and monuments. The traces of human activity found here date back hundreds of thousands of years.
Subsequently, with the integration of different cultures, Syria has become a “crossroads of human civilization exchanges”, connecting the civilizations of Asia, Europe and Africa.
In one of the sections of the exhibition, different types of cultural relics, such as textiles, porcelain, and stela rubbings, reflect the everlasting trade and cultural exchanges between China and West Asia facilitated by the Silk Road.
Perron Eric, a French visitor, shared with GDToday that some ceramics from China’s Xinjiang province amazed him the most. “I was impressed because of their quality, which is much higher than I expected, and their pretty unique style. From this period of history, I really thought that only China was able to make such nice ceramic pieces!”
Eric told the GDToday reporter that he had roamed many museums in Europe, such as the Louvre Museum in Paris, but there are very few ceramics from Syria in the Eastern civilization exhibition area. “So it’s a rare chance,” he said.
Free smart exhibition guide devices, with bilingual commentary in Mandarin and English, are available at the entrance. A variety of online and offline activities will also be held, such as “Pottery Workshop”, “Fridge Magnet Hands-on Class”, and “Pearl Jewelry Workshop”.
Time: From July 20 to October 20 (Closed on Mondays)
Venue: 3rd Floor of Guangdong Museum
Add.: No.2 Zhujiang East Road, Tianhe District, Guangzhou
Nearest metro station: Take Metro Line 5 or Line 3 and get off at Zhujiang New Town Station (珠江新城站), then use Exit B1.
Admission fee: 60 RMB
Tickets for children, students, and senior citizens: 30 RMB
Double ticket: 99 RMB
Family ticket (two adults and one child): 129 RMB
Note: A reservation is needed to enter the museum. People who have bought tickets for this exhibition can enter the museum directly via the special passage on the west gate without extra reservation. Foreigners need to bring passports for admission.
How to book tickets?
Scan the QR code to purchase tickets.
Reporter: Monica, Ariel, Shi Can (intern)
Editor: Olivia, James
Photos provided to GDToday
