Ankang Museum

Overview

Ankang Museum (安康博物馆) is located at Huanggou Road, Jiangbei, Hanbin District, Ankang City, Shaanxi Province, China. The museum’s predecessor was the Ankang History Museum. It serves as a comprehensive institution for the collection, protection, scientific research, and exhibition of cultural relics in Ankang City. Established in 1984, Ankang Museum moved to its current location in 2014. The building area covers 14,825 square meters. As of November 2024, the museum has an exhibition area of 6,000 square meters and houses 3,952 cultural relics, with 945 being particularly valuable. These relics include artifacts from the Spring and Autumn Period and Warring States, cultural relics from the Ba, Shu, and Chu regions, Han and Wei dynasty artifacts, as well as paintings and calligraphy from famous figures of the Ming and Qing Dynasties. [23]

In September 2018, Ankang Museum was recognized as a National Level II Museum.

Museum Information

  • Name in Chinese: 安康博物馆 (Ankang Museum)

  • Location: Huanggou Road, Jiangbei, Hanbin District, Ankang City, Shaanxi Province

  • Total Area: 28,666.7 m²

  • Exhibition Area: 6,000 m²

  • Museum Type: Comprehensive Museum

  • Level: National Level II

  • Opening Date: November 10, 2015

  • Opening Hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM (Last entry at 4:30 PM); Closed on Mondays for maintenance (except for national public holidays)

  • Admission: Free

  • Building Area: 14,825 m²

  • Construction Start: March 2013

  • Director: Shi Changcheng (施昌成)

  • Annual Visitor Count: 106,800 visitors [23]

History

Ankang Museum’s history can be traced back to the establishment of the Ankang History Museum in 1984. In March 2013, the construction of the Ankang Museum began, and in February 2015, the museum entered a trial operation phase. The grand opening ceremony was held on November 10, 2015.

Timeline:

  • 1984: Ankang History Museum was established.

  • March 21, 2013: Construction of Ankang Museum started.

  • February 10, 2015: Trial operation of Ankang Museum.

  • November 10, 2015: Grand opening and unveiling of the museum.

Architecture and Layout

The layout of Ankang Museum is composed of “Three Main Exhibits and Two Special Exhibits.” These include:

  • “Heavenly Gift Ankang” (天赋安康)

  • “Cultural Source of Ankang” (脉源安康)

  • “Building Dreams in Ankang” (筑梦安康)

In addition, there are two special exhibitions: the “Ankang Three-Line Construction History Exhibition” (安康三线建设历程展) and the “Exhibition of Fine Calligraphy and Paintings from the Museum Collection” (馆藏书画精品展). These exhibitions systematically present Ankang’s unique resources, cultural history, major events, achievements, and future plans, offering a comprehensive view of Ankang’s past, present, and future. The museum aims to be a “Cultural Shrine of Ankang” and a “Reception Room of Ankang.”

Basic Exhibitions:

Ankang Intangible Cultural Heritage Exhibition 

The Ankang Intangible Cultural Heritage Exhibition, located on the third floor of Ankang Museum, spans 860 square meters with an investment of 8 million RMB. This exhibit is themed “Home Between Qinling and Han River” (家在秦巴汉水间) and is divided into three parts: “Qinling Families,” “Han River Style,” and “Ba Mountain Figures.” It showcases Ankang’s key intangible cultural heritage projects, highlighting four national-level and 33 provincial-level intangible cultural heritage items from Ankang. The exhibition uses modern technology to bring these cultural traditions to life, making them accessible and engaging for the public.

Heavenly Gift Ankang

This exhibition uses a natural history museum style, combining plant and animal specimens with real-life simulations and scenic paintings, supported by sound and lighting technologies. It presents Ankang’s biological resources, water, minerals, and cultural tourism resources, offering visitors an immersive experience of the region’s natural wonders.

Cultural Source of Ankang 

This exhibition showcases the ancient civilization development of Ankang. It abandons traditional chronological presentations, instead focusing on key historical moments, important events, notable figures, and fine cultural relics. The exhibition uses a thematic “bead-string” approach, with eight units such as “Civilization Dawn,” “Historical Anecdotes of States,” and “Migration and Reclamation” that sketch out Ankang’s cultural history, featuring the local cultural heritage of the Han River region.

Ankang Three-Line Construction History Exhibition 

This exhibition commemorates the Three-Line Construction of the 1960s and 1970s. By documenting oral histories from participants, displaying videos, production items, and photos from the era, it recreates the passion and dedication of those who contributed to the construction efforts. The exhibition highlights the spirit of the Three-Line Movement, which emphasized idealism, passion, and selfless dedication to building the country.

Key Features of the Museum’s Collections

Ankang Museum’s collection includes a wealth of historical and cultural artifacts. Notably, its collection is rich in relics from the Spring and Autumn Period, Warring States, and the Han and Wei Dynasties. Some of the most treasured items include:

  • Artifacts from the Ba, Shu, and Chu Cultures during the Spring and Autumn and Warring States Periods.

  • Ceramics, portrait bricks, and clay figurines from the Han and Wei Dynasties.

  • Famous paintings and calligraphy from the Ming and Qing Dynasties.

These items help to showcase Ankang’s rich cultural history, offering a deeper understanding of its regional significance.

Visitor Information

  • Location: Ankang Museum, Huanggou Road, Jiangbei, Hanbin District, Ankang City, Shaanxi Province

  • Opening Hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM (last entry at 4:30 PM); Closed on Mondays (except for national public holidays)

  • Admission: Free

  • Public Transport: Public buses 9, 12, 21, and 22; Get off at Guhantai Station and walk to the museum.

Notable Achievements

Ankang Museum has received several accolades, including being designated as a National Level II Museum in 2018 and achieving a significant number of annual visitors, with more than 106,800 visitors in 2024.

Special Exhibitions

Overview

Since its opening on November 10, 2015, Ankang Museum (安康博物馆) has held 36 special exhibitions by January 8, 2021. Some notable exhibitions include:

  • Liao Dynasty Painting Exhibition: Khitan Civilization (契丹文明——辽代绘画展)

  • Invitation Exhibition of Famous Calligraphy and Paintings from Shaanxi (陕西书画名家作品邀请展)

  • Special Exhibition on Ankang’s Resistance during the Anti-Japanese War (安康抗战专题展)

  • Ankang Folk Collection of Buddhist Statues (安康民间收藏佛像展)

  • The History of Anti-Counterfeit Currency in China (中国货币反假史展)

  • Glorious Civilizations of the Silk Road (丝绸之路的璀璨文明展)

  • “Qingfeng Cup” Integrity Calligraphy and Painting Exhibition of Ankang City (安康市清风杯”廉政书画展)

  • Red Regime Currency Literature Exhibition (红色政权货币文献展)

  • Li Hongxia’s Art of Burning Artworks (李红霞烙画艺术展)

  • Ankang Museum Development Achievements Photo Exhibition (安康博物馆发展成就图片展)

  • The First “Good Family Tradition” Calligraphy Exhibition of Ankang City (安康市首届好家风书法展)

  • Commemorating the 80th Anniversary of the Red Army’s Long March Victory Calligraphy and Painting Exhibition (纪念红军长征胜利80周年书画展)

  • Tang Dynasty Mural Masterpieces Reproduction Exhibition (唐代壁画名作摹本特展)

  • Art Exhibition of Wine Bottle Artworks (酒瓶艺术精品展)

  • “Hometown Sound” Li Hongping Contemporary Chinese Painting Exhibition (乡音—李宏平当代国画展)

  • “South-to-North Water Diversion” Mid-Line Cities Art and Calligraphy Exhibition (“南水北调”中线城市美术书法展)

  • “The Road of Dreams—Remembering the Youth Who Went Out from Qixianzhuang during the Anti-Japanese War” Exhibition (《理想之路—铭记抗战中从七贤庄走出去的热血青年》展)

  • “Simplicity and Decency—Liu Mengzhou’s Collection of Pig Craftworks” Exhibition (”憨陋简率——刘孟洲藏猪“工艺品展)

  • Tang Mingdong’s Chinese Painting Works Touring Exhibition (唐明东中国画作品巡展)

  • Iron-Blooded Loyalty—Ankang Airport during the Anti-Japanese War (铁血忠魂――抗战时期的安康机场展)

  • Rare Delicacies—Ancient Food Culture Artifacts Exhibition (珍馐玉馔——古代饮食文化器具展)

  • Ancient Gold, Silver, and Jade Artifacts Exhibition from Jiangning District Museum (江宁区博物馆馆藏古代金、银、玉器展)

  • Silk Road Legacy and Cultural Relics Exhibition (丝路遗风暨宝贝回家文物精品展)

  • Fashionable Living in the Jiangnan Region During the Ming and Qing Dynasties (明清江南地区时尚生活展)

  • Commemorating the 85th Anniversary of the Creation of the Shaanxi-Gansu Revolutionary Base: “Zhaojin Spirit” Touring Exhibition (纪念陕甘边革命根据地创建85周年“照金精神”巡展)

  • 40th Anniversary of Reform and Opening-Up: Ankang People’s Life Imprints and Social Development Exhibits Since the Republic of China (改革开放40年安康百姓生活印记暨民国以来陕西社会发展变迁物证展)

  • Yuhua “Stone” Charm: Fine Yuhua Stones Unearthed in Yizheng (雨花“石”韵——仪征出土雨花石精品展)

  • Fan Jin’s Jade Carving Works Exhibition: Yaozhou Kiln Ceramics (范金琢玉——耀州窑历代陶瓷精品展)

  • Women Heroes: The Glorious Achievements of Martyr Zhao Yiman (巾帼英雄赵一曼烈士光辉业绩展)

  • Folk Art Exhibition from Jinjiang City Museum (晋江市博物馆典藏年画展)

  • The 22nd Sino-Japanese Cultural and Art Exhibition (第二十二届中日友好文化艺术展)

  • Ankang Museum Celebrates the 70th Anniversary of the Founding of New China (安康博物馆庆祝新中国成立70周年展)

  • The Han Dynasty Mural Stone Rubbings from the Zhu Ran Family Tombs (朱然家族墓地博物馆馆藏汉画像石拓片展)

  • Hainan Stone Inscriptions of Political Figures from the Republic of China (民国政要海南石刻遗墨展)

  • Xinjiang Turpan Han and Tang Artifacts Exhibition (新疆吐鲁番汉唐文物精品展)

  • Zisha Pottery Art Exhibition: A Tribute to Yixing Zisha Teapot Art (紫瓯春华——历代紫砂壶艺术精品展)

“Memory of Fire” – Ankang’s Anti-Japanese War Special Exhibition

The “Memory of Fire” (烈火记忆——安康抗战专题展) was held from September 2015 to February 2016 in the temporary exhibition hall on the third floor of Ankang Museum. To commemorate the 70th anniversary of the victory of the Anti-Japanese War, the museum displayed objects donated by Norwegian Mr. You Yohan, including wartime artifacts and photos from Wuli Airport. Additionally, materials related to the war from Mr. Han Tianshan and Mr. Yang Jianan’s collections were exhibited. The display revealed the crimes committed by the Japanese military and paid tribute to the sacrifices of the ancestors who contributed to the victory in the Anti-Japanese War. The exhibition aimed to educate the public to “remember history and cherish peace.”

Silk Road Legacy and Cultural Relics Exhibition

The “Silk Road Legacy and Cultural Relics” (丝路遗风暨宝贝回家文物精品展) was exhibited on June 16, 2018. The exhibition featured 60 Tang dynasty Tri-colored Glazed Pottery (唐三彩) artifacts from the Shaanxi Tang Sancai Art Museum, along with other relics from the 1990s collections of Ankang artifacts and Silk Road artifacts collected by the Shaanxi History Museum. These precious cultural relics had been away from Ankang for nearly 30 years before returning home. Some of the highlights included the gilded bronze silkworm from the Han Dynasty unearthed in Shiquan and the multi-faced coal crystal seals from the Western Wei period unearthed in Xunyang. These treasures were a significant cultural gift to the people of Ankang and played an important role in promoting the city’s cultural heritage, boosting local cultural confidence, and contributing to the development of the city into a strong ecological and economic center in Northwestern China.

Architectural Features

The Ankang Museum (安康博物馆) was designed by the renowned architect Zhang Jinqiu (张锦秋), an academician from the Northwest Architecture Design and Research Institute (西北建筑设计研究院). The museum building consists of three main floors, with some areas extending to six floors. The design reflects the style of “high platform by the river, open on all sides, with the architectural features of both Qin (秦) and Chu (楚) regions.” This architectural style makes it a prominent landmark along the riverside landscape of the central urban area of Ankang (安康).

Collection of Cultural Relics 

Overview 

As of August 2021, according to the museum’s official website, the Ankang Museum (安康博物馆) houses a total of 3,438 cultural relics, with 931 being classified as precious. These collections include relics from the Spring and Autumn period, the Warring States period, and the Chu (楚), Ba (巴), and Shu (蜀) cultures, as well as Qing dynasty, Han, Wei, and Northern and Southern Dynasties artifacts such as green porcelain, image bricks, terracotta figurines, and famous calligraphy and paintings from the Ming and Qing dynasties.

Featured Relics

  1. Shimi Gui (史密簋): Western Zhou Dynasty, a bronze cooking vessel. Excavated from the Wangjiaba site (王家坝遗址) in Hanbin District (汉滨区). Its height is 12 cm, with a mouth diameter of 20.6 cm. The exterior of the mouth is decorated with intricate patterns, and the base of the vessel bears a 93-character inscription. This inscription records an expedition ordered by the Zhou king to subdue the southeastern tribes, offering invaluable insights into the relationship between the Western Zhou and southern Huaiyi tribes.

  2. Tomb Guardian Beast (镇墓兽): Southern Dynasty (梁), burial item. Excavated from the tomb of the Liang dynasty in Hanbin District. Height: 23 cm, length: 28 cm, width: 13 cm. The figure represents a seated beast with a human face, symbolizing a guardian spirit. First appearing in Warring States period Chu tombs, this motif became popular during the Wei, Jin, and Tang periods.

  3. Changsha Kiln Celadon and Brown-Glazed Gourd-Patterned Pot (长沙窑青釉褐彩瓜棱壶): Tang Dynasty, storage vessel. Excavated from Xihe Town (喜河镇) in Shiquan County (石泉县). Height: 15.5 cm, width: 7 cm, and belly diameter: 9.5 cm. Featuring a gray body with celadon glaze and brown spots, this pot exemplifies the distinctive style of Tang pottery.

  4. Iron Bell of Xila Temple (新罗寺铁钟): Southern Song Dynasty, cast in the sixth year of the Jiading era (嘉定六年). The bell stands 2.5 meters tall, with a diameter of 1.55 meters and weighs 2.5 tons. It features an ornate chisel head and inscriptions such as “May the emperor live for ten thousand years, and ministers remain forever loyal,” reflecting the religious and imperial symbolism of the period.

  5. Stone-Carved Bodhisattva Statue (石雕菩萨造像): Song Dynasty, religious sacrificial item. Collected from Xunyang County (旬阳县). Height: 46 cm, width: 33.5 cm. The statue is adorned in red, with a crown on the head, a bare chest, and draped silk. The Bodhisattva sits on a lotus throne, symbolizing spiritual enlightenment.

  6. Copper Mirror with Mythical Beasts Pattern (神兽纹铜镜): Southern Dynasty (梁), used for personal grooming. Excavated from a tomb dating to the fifth year of the Tianjian era (天监五年) in Hanbin District. Diameter: 16.2 cm. The mirror features four mythical beasts and intricate patterns, providing valuable insights into ancient Chinese cosmology and artistry.

  7. Blue-Green Glazed Ceramic Bell (青釉铺首衔环绹索纹瓷锺): Han Dynasty, storage vessel. Excavated from Guanmiao Town (关庙镇) in Hanbin District. Height: 40 cm, mouth diameter: 13 cm, belly diameter: 27 cm. This bell showcases the blue-green glazed technique of the Han period and was used to store liquids or food.

  8. Green Porcelain Four-Lugged Jar (青瓷四系罐): Southern Dynasty, water storage or fetching vessel. Excavated from Jiefang Road (解放路) in Hanbin District. Height: 19 cm, belly diameter: 15 cm, mouth diameter: 9 cm. This jar is a typical example of Southern Dynasty green porcelain used widely in the Han River Basin.

  9. Mud-Gilded True Martial Copper Statue (泥金真武铜像): Ming Dynasty, religious sacrificial item. Collected from Chengguan Town (城关镇) in Pingli County (平利县). Height: 33 cm. The statue depicts a seated figure dressed in armor with a fierce expression, representing the True Martial deity, an important figure in Taoist worship.

  10. Grain Pattern Jade Bi (谷纹玉璧): Warring States period, ritual tool. Excavated from the Yuehe gold mine (月河金矿) in Hanyin County (汉阴县). Diameter: 14.5 cm, hole diameter: 4.5 cm. The jade bi features grain patterns, which were typically used in religious ceremonies and rites.

Accomplishments and Awards 

  • On May 18, 2015, Ankang Museum (安康博物馆) won the “Top Ten Exhibitions and Displays” Award from the National Museum Association for its permanent exhibition, “Qinba Pearl — Basic Exhibition of Ankang Museum” (秦巴明珠——安康博物馆基本陈列).

  • On November 30, 2015, the museum’s construction project won the prestigious “Luban Prize” (鲁班奖) in China.

  • On September 18, 2018, Ankang Museum was officially designated as a “National Second-Class Museum” (国家二级博物馆) by the Chinese Museum Association.

  • In September 2022, the museum’s exhibition, “Qinba Pearl — Basic Exhibition of Ankang Museum” (秦巴明珠——安康博物馆基本陈列), received the “Top 100 Exhibitions of the New Era” Award.

  • In September 2023, Ankang Museum was included as a National Base for Patriotic Education for Women.

Visitor Information 

Address 

Ankang Museum is located at Jiangbei Huanggou Road (江北黄沟路), Hanbin District (汉滨区), Ankang City (安康市), Shaanxi Province (陕西省).

Ticket Information

  1. Group visits must be booked at least two days in advance, with a maximum of 150 visitors per day.

  2. Persons with disabilities, seniors over 60, active military personnel, and those recognized for bravery may receive priority access with valid identification.

  3. General visitors can collect their tickets at the ticket counter with valid identification and proceed to the museum after passing security checks.

Opening Hours 

Free Entry: Tuesday to Sunday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM (last entry at 4:30 PM). The museum is closed on Mondays for maintenance (except for national public holidays).

Transportation Information

Ankang Museum is located at Sanqiaotou (三桥头), Jiangbei District (江北), just a ten-minute drive from the city center, Ankang High-Speed Railway Station, and the train station. Public transportation is convenient, with bus routes 7, 9, 13, 22, and 32 passing near the museum.