The Shaanxi Provincial History Museum should be on every visitor’s “must see” list if they are in the vicinity on Xi’an. After all Xi’an served as the imperial capital for ten dynasties and that means the museum’s collection is a treasure trove of antiquities from various important periods of China’s history. Three hundred thousand objects covering almost every aspect of the area’s and China’s imperial past comprising of coloured ceramic and painted terra cotta items from almost every era, bronzes, stunning murals, coins, calligraphy, rubbings, scrolls, jade, bone, wood, iron, stone and lacquer objects, imperial seals, textiles and other woven materials and ancient industrial implements are all to be found here. 

Ancient artifacts once scattered around the region are now to be found in an elegant 60,000 square meter modern Tang Dynasty style building, a fitting location to display the evidence of the region’s great past. Escape to a different exotic time and be blown away by the rare exhibits that showcase the lifestyle of the people and the genius of the artisans of times past. The museum’s representative pieces from the Neolithic Age to Zhou, Qin, Han, Wie Jin North and South Dynasties, Sui, Tang, Song, Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties are organized as permanent, special and temporary exhibits. The 3,000 objects in the museum’s permanent collection provide an overview of China’s historic past through pieces ranging from painted Neolithic ceramics to bronze weapons and artifacts from the Zhou period, gold, silver, ceramic and other objects from the Tang to the Qing Dynasties covering a period from about 150,000 years ago up to about 1840. One of the most outstanding exhibits is 97 rather well preserved Tang imperial tomb murals from 20 tombs in a special climate and moisture controlled exhibition hall. They show courtiers under various Tang emperors at play and going about their daily activities at court and pictures of gardens and royalty among which is a portrait of a princess from ‘Thai’. Other special displays include a collection of 260 bronzes and 341 terra cotta pieces from the various dynasties that ruled from Xi’an.  

Take time to experience China’s wonderful past and the lives of its people through the ages of history by visiting the Shaanxi Provincial History Museum.

Stay at the Citadines Xinqing Palace Xian and take advantage of a convenient location close to the many modern amenities of the city and with easy access to its ancient heritage sites. Providing some of the most comprehensive Xian accommodation comprising of fully equipped kitchens and residential requirements needed by long stay business and leisure clients this serviced apartments Xian is the ideal base for travelers looking for hassle free contemporary accommodation.