CULTURAL TREASURES FROM GUYUAN, NINGXIA

Service Description

Exhibition Period: July 9 – November 17, 2025 Venue: Shanghai Museum East Campus, 2nd Floor, Special Exhibition Hall II (sponsored by China Eastern Airlines) Address: 1952 Century Avenue, Pudong New District, Shanghai Overview Located at the southern end of the Liupan Mountains, Guyuan in Ningxia has long been a strategic hub where farming and nomadic cultures met. As a key point along the Silk Road and a gateway between the Central Plains and the northwest, Guyuan has yielded a wealth of exquisite artifacts that vividly illustrate the fusion of Chinese, steppe, and Western civilizations—offering powerful testimony to the diversity and unity of Chinese culture. From the Western Zhou period, oracle bones, bronzes, and jades unearthed at Sunjiazhuang and Yaohuayuan sites reflect the spread of Central Plains ritual systems to the northwest. Artifacts from the Spring and Autumn period feature animal motifs that reveal the strong influence of steppe art. During the Northern and Southern Dynasties, Guyuan flourished as a Silk Road town. Tomb relics of General Li Xian—including inscriptions, murals, and painted figurines—continued the traditions of Chinese burial rituals. At the same time, foreign treasures like gilt silver ewers and glass bowls reflect vibrant international trade and cultural diversity. In the Sui and Tang periods, Sogdian families in Guyuan actively integrated into Chinese society. The Shih family tombs, with inscriptions and murals in Chinese style, show their identification with Chinese culture, while gold ornaments and burial customs preserve Central Asian traditions—illustrating cultural coexistence and adaptation. With over 300 artifacts on display, this exhibition captures Guyuan’s role as a crossroad of civilizations. From ritual bronzes to painted ceramics, and from nomadic ornaments to Silk Road luxuries, these objects shine like prisms—reflecting the evolving, inclusive spirit of Chinese civilization. To encounter these relics is to trace the rich historical path toward the formation of a shared Chinese cultural identity. Visitor Information - Opening Hours: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM (last admission at 5:00 PM) - Closed on Tuesdays (except national holidays) Note: OGP may organize group visits for members and enthusiasts during the exhibition period. If such an event is confirmed, OGP organizers will notify you in advance.