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Chángshā Sights

Húnán Provincial Museum

1 reviews | Write a review

Good for: history buffs, English-only speakers

Not good for: children

  • Address
    • 50 Dongfeng Lu
  • Price
    • free
  • Hours
    • 9am-5pm Tue-Sun

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Lonely Planet review for Húnán Provincial Museum

Not to be missed, this first-rate museum has fascinating exhibits from the 2100-year-old Western Han tombs of Mǎwángduī, some 5km east of the city.

The items on show allow you to get a rare handle on Western Han aesthetics – check out the astonishing expressions on the faces of some of the wooden figurines. Also excavated are more than 700 pieces of lacquerware, Han silk textiles and ancient manuscripts on silk and bamboo wooden slips, including one of the earlier versions of the Zhōuyì (Yìjīng, also called I Ching), written in formalised Han clerical script.

But the highlight is the body of the Marquess of Dai, extracted from her magnificent multilayered lacquered coffin after 2100 years. Due to the air-tight seal and 80L of preserving fluid, her body is marvellously well pickled.

A set number of visitors are allowed in each day and tickets are given out on a first come, first served basis, so it's best to get here early in the morning. Buses 112, 113 and 136 all run here from the train station.

 

Traveller reviews for Húnán Provincial Museum (1)

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    All Hunan, no Mao

    kamjacobsen recommends this,

    The HPM is possibly the most historically enlightening thing you'll find in Changsha (or all of Hunan) if you only speak and read English. Treasures from the three tombs of Mawangdui fill the vast majority of the museum, but they are tremendously interesting. There's even a 2,000 year-old mummy! (Not for the squeamish.)
    Also, a good deal of ancient pottery and porcelain works are featured near the end. The touristy scene is minimal, unless it's raining outside. You won't find any mention of one Mr. Zedong either, which can be a welcome respite in Changsha.

    Good for: history buffs, English-only speakers

    Not good for: children

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