QING COURT HETIAN JADE CULTURE
EXHIBITIO

Service Description

Exhibition Dates: 2025-01-07 - 2026-01-04
 Location: Palace Museum, Zhai Gong Exhibition Hall (4 Jingshan Front St, Dongcheng, Beijing, China, 100009) The "Jade from Kunlun: Special Exhibition on Qing Court Hetian Jade Culture" is the Palace Museum’s first major exhibition of 2025, showcasing 258 selected pieces of Hetian jade, including 130 artifacts on public display for the first time. The exhibition is organized into five sections — Origins of Jade, Ritual Jade, Elegant Jade, Craftsmanship in Jade, and Jade in Daily Use — offering a multi-dimensional view of how jade has served as a medium for cultural exchange and development throughout Chinese civilization. Hetian, located in today’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, has been a significant jade source since the Neolithic period. During the Qianlong reign of the Qing dynasty, the imperial tribute jade system was established, elevating jade craftsmanship and artistry to new heights. The exhibition’s title, Jade from Kunlun, is drawn from the classic primer Thousand Character Classic, referencing the Kunlun Mountains as the origin of Hetian jade. Highlights include a white jade bixie from the Han dynasty — the earliest Hetian jade artifact in the Palace Museum’s collection; imperial Qianlong-era white and green jade carvings vividly depicting jade mining scenes; and significant ritual objects such as the white jade imperial seal "Great Qing Mandate of Heaven" and the Qianlong-era set of jade ceremonial tablets. The exhibition also presents imperial jade ruyi scepters inscribed with Qianlong’s poems, along with a complex twelve-piece jade floral calendar crafted from a single block of white Hetian jade, symbolizing auspiciousness and seasonal beauty. Exceptional works of color-enhanced carving are also featured, such as the white jade mantis and bat peach sculpture that makes ingenious use of natural green hues. Additionally, jade board games — including jade Go sets, chess, and backgammon — offer insights into leisurely pursuits at the Qing court. The exhibition also highlights the cultural dialogue between East and West through the display of Mughal-style jade artifacts and their Qing-made counterparts, reflecting a dynamic exchange of jade craftsmanship. Tips: Opening hours 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM (Closed on Mondays) Note: OGP may organize group visits for members and enthusiasts to this exhibition, subject to final arrangements. If a visit is confirmed, organizers will notify participants in advance.