The Shaanxi History Museum (SHM), in the renowned historic city of Xi’an in Shaanxi Province, is often regarded as one of the museums most difficult to get a ticket to in China. Each day, approximately 12,000 free online tickets are made available and are fully booked within just a couple of minutes. Its vast collection of treasured relics and numerous national treasures leave visitors in awe. 

“Tri-Colored Glazed Pottery Camel Carrying Musicians” is one of the greatest treasures of the SHM.

A Collection of Treasures

The SHM, China’s first modern national museum, opened its doors to the public in 1991. With an 11,000-square-meter exhibition area, this majestic Tang Dynasty (618-907) style complex houses over 1.7 million pieces (sets) of artefacts.

Shaanxi Province’s long and rich history is a major contribution to this museum’s diverse collection. Shaanxi is one of the major cradles of Chinese civilization, carrying a wealth of defining symbols and iconic geographical landmarks of the nation, such as the Mausoleum of the Yellow Emperor, the Terracotta Army, the Qinling Mountains, and the Huashan Mountains. Throughout China’s ancient history, Xi’an served as the capital of 14 dynasties including the Zhou (1046B.C.-256B.C.), Qin (221 B.C.-206 B.C.), Han (206B.C.-220), and Tang dynasties.

The SHM’s greatest collection includes a bronze tripod (ding) of General Duo You from the Western Zhou Dynasty (1046B.C.-771B.C.), a gold-inlaid tiger-shaped tally with inscriptions from the Warring States Period (475B.C.-221B.C.), a jade empress seal from the Han Dynasty, a ceramic pot with a long handle from the Five Dynasties Period (907-960), a black glazed bowl with pattern of oil droplets from the Song Dynasty (960-1279), and a set of Tang Dynasty murals, among others. Many of them are of such great historical significance that they are forbidden to be exhibited abroad.

Through over 3,000 objects, its permanent exhibition “Ancient Civilization in Shaanxi” depicts the development of human civilization in Shaanxi from the appearance of ancient humans around 1.63 million years ago to the Opium Wars in the late 19th century. This exhibition that is spread across three halls consists of seven sections: the Prehistoric Period, Zhou Period, Qin Period, Han Dynasty, Wei, Jin, and Southern and Northern Dynasties, Sui and Tang Dynasties, and after the Tang Dynasty, emphasizing the key role of Shaanxi in Chinese history.

Additionally, there are two thematic exhibitions — “Mural Paintings of the Tang Dynasty” and “Treasures of the Great Tang Dynasty.”

Painted pottery warriors from the Western Han Dynasty on display at the SHM.

SHM Qin-Han Civilization Museum

The SHM Qin-Han Civilization Museum opened to the public in May 2024. As a new branch of the Shaanxi History Museum, it is devoted to the origin, development, and contribution of the profound Qin-Han civilization. Unlike SHM located on a bustling street in the provincial capital of Xi’an, this new museum sits near a massive group of archaeological sites, including those of the Qin Xianyang Palace and mausoleums of several Western Han emperors, in Qinhan New City, Xixiang New District. The museum complex is built into a Qin-Han style Palace compound, made up of seven connected buildings which are laid out in the shape of the Big Dipper.

“If the 5,000 years of Chinese civilization are a chronicle, Qin-Han period is one of the most significant chapters. During this time, a unified political landscape was formed and the foundation for Confucianism-centered political ethos was laid,” Director of the SHM Hou Ningbin explained.

The SHM Qin-Han Civilization Museum currently showcases over 1,500 relics, 90 percent of which are being displayed for the first time in three permanent exhibitions — the “Civilization of Qin and Han,” “Cities and Mausoleums,” and “Technology and Beauty.” Currently there is a temporary exhibition set up to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Silk Road listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

The “Great Unity Under Heaven: Civilization of Qin and Han Dynasty” exhibition displays a collection of 732 items across eight sections, spanning two floors and covering an area of around 3,500 square meters. The content centers on the establishment of new systems, presenting the magnificent achievements and vital role of the Qin and Han civilizations in shaping Chinese culture from multiple perspectives.

The “Cities and Mausoleums” exhibition, featuring over 400 relics, presents archaeological discoveries from four major city sites from the Qin and Han dynasties. It explores the principles behind the location selection, political structure, and design philosophy of national projects during that period. Notable exhibits include the remains of a flushable toilet dating back 2,400 years, unearthed at a large palace site, and a burial site where an ancient pet dog was placed in a ceramic water pipe as a coffin.

In the “Technology and Beauty” exhibition hall, visitors can immerse themselves in a journey through ancient Qin and Han artistry and technology. While touring the gallery, one can hear soothing music, admire the graceful movements of dance, observe the smooth brushstrokes of calligraphy, appreciate the vibrant colors of paintings, and inhale the pleasant fragrance of incense.

A highlight is an exquisite gilded silver bronze incense burner in the shape of bamboo joints, which is under the highest protection level in the state, unearthed from the tomb of a Western Han princess. The piece is a typical example of the incense culture of the Qin and Han dynasties. To deepen the sensory connection, the curators have set up a fragrance experience area. An incense master was engaged to craft a unique scent based on Qin-Han texts and archaeological discoveries of ancient spices, allowing visitors not only to visually enjoy the relics but also to experience the lifestyle and culture of that era through the sense of smell.

Promoting Traditional Culture

In addition to efforts of displaying exhibits and preserving and restoring cultural relics, the SHM has organized a series of thematic educational activities which aim to encourage the public to explore the profound heritage of Chinese culture and meet the cultural needs of different age groups. These activities include public academic lectures in collaboration with university experts, youth academic forums, traditional festival-themed events, and community outreach programs.

The SHM places great emphasis on cultivating children's interest in traditional culture by launching interactive activities such as games, handicraft, and school-based events to enhance young people's historical and cultural literacy as well as their capability for aesthetic appreciation. For instance, to celebrate the 2024 Children's Day, the museum organized a themed educational activity — “Searching for the Little Monsters in the SHM,” which engaged over 100 students who became “little detectives” searching for the “little monsters” hidden within the exhibition halls. These “little monsters” were linked to cultural relics featuring animal patterns, and museum guides provided information on the symbolic meanings of different animal figures as well as the time period, uses, and significance of each cultural artifact. During the interactive experience session, the students created replicas of the museum's cow-shaped lamp using traditional paper carving techniques and crafted painted clay models of the “little monster” Tiger Tally (Hu Fu).

The museum continues to innovate methods of fulfilling its cultural dissemination mission by exploring ways to integrate culture and technology and digitalizing the museum collection to provide audiences with an enriched cultural experience. In 2024, the museum officially announced joining a digital cultural heritage platform which is designed to be a “24/7 museum” online.