Chongqing Jianchuan Museum (重庆建川博物馆), located in Chongqing, China, is a unique cultural institution consisting of eight museums built within 24 air-raid shelters. These themed museums collectively create a rich tapestry of history and culture, offering visitors a deep insight into various aspects of China’s past. The eight museums are the Weapons Development History Museum, Han Yang Arsenal Museum (the former site of the First Arsenal of the Military Industry Bureau), Anti-Japanese War Relics Museum, Chongqing Story Museum, Folk Prayer Culture Museum, Chinese Xi Culture Museum (Wedding Culture Museum), Ticket and Certificate Life Museum, and Traditional Chinese Medicine Culture Museum.
The museum is situated in a place that still retains 51 air-raid shelters, reflecting its historical significance. This site was originally the location of the Han Yang Arsenal, established by Zhang Zhidong during the Self-Strengthening Movement and later relocated to Chongqing. It also served as the site of the Nationalist Government’s Military Industry Bureau’s First Arsenal during the period of the War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression.
Table of Contents
- Basic Information
- Location and Transportation
- Precious Artifacts
- Intriguing Themes
- Vlog about Chongqing Jianchuan Museum
- Other Attractions in Jiulongpo District
Basic Information
| Estimated Length of Tour | 2 hours |
| Ticket Price | 50 RMB |
| Opening Hours | 9.00 – 17.30; Last admission: 17.00 |
| Telephone Number | 0086-023-68960111 |
Location and Transportation
Jianchuan Museum is located in the Jiulongpo District of Chongqing, China. The precise address of the museum is 1 Fujiagou, Xiejiawan Street. To get there, you can choose one of the following ways:
Bus: Take Bus Special Need D166 and get off at the Jianchuan Museum Stop.
Metro: The closest metro station to the Jianchuan Museum is Xiejiawan (谢家湾) on line 2 and the Loop Line. After getting out of the station from Exit 1, walk about 250 meters to the east to reach the museum.
Precious Artifacts
Chongqing Jianchuan Museum houses an impressive collection of national-level artifacts, including Mao Zedong’s order for the transformation of the Red Army into the Eighth Route Army in 1937. Other notable items include a porcelain ink box featuring the “March of the Volunteers” to commemorate the seventh anniversary of the September 18 Incident, operational notebooks of Chen Mingyi, the chief of staff for the 129th Division and chief of staff for the Ji’nan Military Region, Feng Yuxiang’s flowerpot, and Feng Zikai’s representative artwork “Victory Night.”
Intriguing Themes
One of the distinctive features of Chongqing Jianchuan Museum is the thematic sculpture “Facing Enemy Fire,” which stands beside the E’gongyan Yangtze River Bridge. The sculpture portrays a soldier holding a machine gun, symbolizing bravery and victory. The Chinese Xi Culture Museum maintains a vibrant color scheme primarily in gold and red. Upon entering the exhibition hall, visitors are greeted with golden “Xi” characters in various fonts on red walls. The ceiling displays aged wedding photographs, creating a joyful atmosphere.
