The Museum of the Mausoleum of the Nanyue King, opened in 1988, was built at the tomb site of the second Nanyue King, covering an area of 17,400 m2. It housed 11,465 relics, with the exhibitions of the tomb site, relics unearthed from the tomb and the ceramic pillows donated by Mr. Yeung Wing-Tak.
The tomb of the Nanyue King was discovered by chance in June 1983. It was discovered intact and had not been plundered. 10,434 historical relics were unearthed, including the Administrative Seal of Emperor Wen. The seal proves the identity of the tomb occupant to be the second Nanyue King, Zhao Mo. Fifteen sacrificial victims were also found buried with the deceased emperor. The tomb is the largest and the best preserved color-painted stone chamber tomb found to date in the Lingnan region in South China. In 1996, the State Council declared it one of China’s major historical sites. The museum also has a collection of over 400 ceramic pillows, among which over 200 pieces were donated by Mr. and Mrs. Yeung Wing-Tak. The pillows range in date from the Tang Dynasty to the modern times, with the majority produced during the Song and Jin Dynasties. The collection of ceramic pillows is unparalleled at home and abroad in terms of quantity, variety and places of the kilns.
As a typical representative of modern buildings in the south, the museum has won several awards at home and abroad on its building style for its perfect combination of the essence of the Chinese culture and modern architecture.