5 must-see exhibitions in Guangdong for International Museum Day

Museums across China's southern Guangdong province are celebrating the upcoming International Museum Day on May 18 with an exciting lineup of exhibitions.

This year's theme for the International Museum Day, "The Future of Museums in Rapidly Changing Communities," resonates strongly with museums in Guangdong. They are presenting exhibitions that combine ancient artifacts with modern technology, traditional crafts with contemporary art, and new approaches to storytelling, preservation, and public engagement.

Not sure what to do on the International Museum Day? Here are five exhibitions you can't miss in Guangdong:

Shaoguan

The "Cantonese lifestyle in museums" exhibition

Photo of the exhibition (Photo: Nanfang Plus)

Covering multiple aspects such as tea culture, herbal medicine and tea traditions, and agarwood culture, this exhibition offers a rich and diverse showcase of Guangdong's vibrant cultural life.

Highlights include kung fu tea sets, Chinese tea ceremony performances, vintage beauty products, and costume experiences - each reflecting the wisdom of the Cantonese people and the harmonious fusion of tradition and modernity. Visitors can also enjoy interactive activities such as sampling Guangdong herbal tea, trying culturally themed ice cream, and dressing in traditional Chinese costumes.

Photo of the exhibition (Photo: Nanfang Plus)

Date: May 16, 2025 - May 18, 2025

Venue: Hall 1, Shaoguan Museum

Opening Hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 9:00 am - 4:30 pm. Closed on Mondays. Open to the public as usual during national public holidays.

Price: Free

*No reservation required — visitors may enter directly.

Guangzhou

The 1st Bay Area Contemporary Art Biennale - New Amphitheater of Time

Poster of the 1st Bay Area Contemporary Art Biennale - New Amphitheater of Time (Photo: Guangzhou Museum of Art)

China's Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) is fast becoming a dynamic hub for contemporary Chinese art. The new Biennale, launched at the Guangzhou Museum of Art, will take place every two years. It aims to show how the GBA's unique art environment is shaping the future of art, combining creativity with new ways of thinking.

Theme "New Amphitheater of Time," the exhibition is divided into four sections that explore different aspects of today's world—our past, daily life, global changes, and the future. Together, they ask: where is contemporary art headed in a fast-changing world? Visitors are invited to immerse themselves in a mix of creative expressions, including AI-powered visuals, performance art, and surprising fusions of contemporary dance and stand-up comedy.

One of the artworks exhibited (Photo: Guangzhou Museum of Art)

Date: May 1, 2025 - August 1, 2025

Venue: Hall 2 & Hall 3, Guangzhou Museum of Art

Opening Hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00 am – 6:30 pm (Last entry at 6:00 pm). Closed on Mondays

Price:

RMB 48 (Standard Admission, Individual)

RMB 80 (2 Adults or 1 Adult + 1 Child)

RMB 38 (Concession for Students, Seniors, etc.)

Ticketing Channels: Via the WeChat official mini-program "BACAB"

Shenzhen

Shaping Clay into Myriad Forms - Ceramic Art across Ancient Eastern and Western Civilization

Poster of Ceramic Art across Ancient Eastern and Western Civilization (Photo: Shenzhen Museum)

The exhibition brings together 267 pieces/sets of exquisite ceramic artifacts spanning nearly 6,000 years. The collection covers key regions along the ancient Silk Road - from the Mediterranean and West Asia to South and Southeast Asia. On display are a diverse range of items, including tableware, cooking and storage vessels, ornaments, and architectural elements. In terms of both scale and variety, this exhibition is a rare showcase within China’s museum scene.

Date: April 29, 2025 - August 31, 2025

Venue: Shenzhen Museum, Jintian Road Branch

Opening Hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00 am - 6:00 pm (last entry at 5:30 pm). Closed on Mondays. Open as usual during national holidays; closed on the first day following the holiday period.

Price: Free

*No reservation required — visitors may enter directly.

Shenzhen

Steel of Glory: A Knight's Life of Armor, Blade and Honor

Poster of Steel of Glory: A Knight's Life of Armor, Blade and Honor (Photo: Nanshan Museum)

This exhibition aims to highlight the development and cultural appeal of the European chivalric system and its material culture. Featuring 140 exquisite artifacts from the Musei Reali of Turin, Italy, the exhibition offers a detailed exploration of chivalry's rich history. From Antiquity through the Middle Ages, to the Renaissance and modern times, chivalry has made a lasting impact on Europe’s military, political, and cultural spheres.

One of artifacts exhibited (Photo: Nanshan Museum)

One of the artifacts exhibited (Photo: Nanshan Museum)

Date: March 21, 2025 - June 22, 2025

Venue: Special Exhibition Hall No.2, 2F, Nanshan Museum

Opening Hours:

Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00 am - 6:00 pm (last entry at 5:30 pm);

Saturday night, 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm (last entry at 8:30 pm).

Closed on Mondays (except for major national holidays), with announcements made under special circumstances.

Price: Free

*No reservation required — visitors may enter directly.

Guangzhou

Beauty of Chinese colors: Glaze colors on Chinese porcelain

Poster of Beauty of Chinese colors: Glaze colors on Chinese porcelain (Photo: Guangdong Museum)

The exhibition presents over 200 porcelain pieces from the museum's own collection, including nationally recognized cultural treasures. It highlights rare examples of single-colored glazed porcelain, with many items on public display for the very first time.

Beyond craftsmanship, the exhibition explores how people in ancient China understood and used color. It helps visitors discover the deeper meanings behind the hues that have adorned Chinese porcelain for centuries. This is a chance to experience the heart of Chinese aesthetics—a visual language inspired by nature, balance, and harmony.

Porcelain pieces exhibited (Photo: Guangdong Museum)