A Glimpse into One of the Oldest Museums in China

Learn about Guangzhou Museum history and collections

Zhenhai Tower in an export painting from CantonGuangzhou Museum

Landmark of the old Canton city

Established in 1929, Guangzhou Museum is one of the earliest museums in China, with a collection of 135,000 pieces. It has been rated as a National First-Class Museum. The centerpiece of the museum is the Zhenhai Tower, a structure dating back to 1380 that has long been revered as the landmark of the old Canton city. 

Zhenhai TowerGuangzhou Museum

Renowned as "The Most Beautiful Sight in Lingnan" and recognized as one of the "Eight Best Scenic Attractions in Guangzhou" since the Qing Dynasty, Zhenhai Tower is now designated as a key cultural site under the national protection and stands as the sole representative of the renowned Chinese historical and cultural storied buildings in South China.

Tripod with gold and enamel (Qing Dynasty)Guangzhou Museum

Museum collections

The Guangzhou Museum houses a collection encompassing over a dozen categories that include ceramics, bronzes, jade, calligraphy, traditional Chinese painting, woodcarvings, ivory carvings, and silk fabrics. 

Guangzhou Museum in the early 1950s (then People's Museum of Guangzhou)Guangzhou Museum

The museum features the excavations of ancient dynasties and the distinctive export arts and crafts during the Ming and Qing eras, which display a fusion of the East with the West. Additionally, the Guangzhou Museum consists of two branch museums: the Memorial of Sanyuanli People's Struggle during the Opium War and the Memorial of the March 29th Uprising Headquarters.

Glass painting of Guangzhou's commercial district (Late 18th to early 19th century)Guangzhou Museum

Crossroads of inland and maritime civilizations

As a comprehensive museum which integrates traditional historical interest and modern museology concept, Guangzhou Museum is dedicated to collecting, researching, exhibiting, and promoting the historical and cultural heritage of Guangzhou, where inland civilization and maritime civilization meet. 

Canton porcelain plate with gilt outline, brocade patterns, and landscape and figure patterns (circa. 1810)Guangzhou Museum

Its grand vision for future development is to construct a world-class museum that is built, owned, and shared by all.

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