Wuwei Museum

Wuwei Museum
武威市博物馆

Address: No 25 Guzang Lu, Liangzhou district, Wuwei, Gansu province
Opening hours: 9.00 am -5.00 pm (last entry 4:30 pm)
Closed: Mondays (except for national holidays)
General admission: Free admission with valid ID card
Tel: (+86 935) 2216530

Imagine a city where the echoes of ancient caravans mingle with the chants of Buddhist monks, a place where the heart of China met the vast expanse of the Western Regions. This is Wuwei, historically known as Liangzhou, one of the four military defense post prefectures on the Hexi Corridor set up during the Western Han Dynasty (206 BC – AD 24), a vital nexus on the ancient Silk Road. For centuries, Wuwei served as a melting pot of cultures, facilitating the exchange of goods, and ideas between the Central Plains and the West. This rich history is meticulously preserved within the walls of the Wuwei Museum.

Established in 1982, the museum houses an impressive collection of 46,191 cultural relics, placing it third in Gansu province after the Gansu Provincial Museum and the Gansu Jiandu Museum. Among its treasures, visitors can witness the tangible legacy of Wuwei's past, including painted potteries from the Neolithic period, intricate bamboo and wooden slips from the Han Dynasty, and exquisite wood carvings from the Han and Tang dynasties.

The museum's permanent exhibition provides a comprehensive overview of Wuwei's long and diverse history, highlighting its role as a crucial Silk Road hub. Additionally, the museum features a special exhibition dedicated to the restored murals and painted sculptures from the Tianti Mountain Grottoes. These grottoes, dating back to the Northern Liang period of the Eastern Jin Dynasty (397 - 439), offer a glimpse into the region's rich Buddhist heritage, spanning over 1,600 years.