Guangdong Museum (广东博物馆), initially planned in 1957 and officially opened in 1959, is the only comprehensive provincial museum in Guangdong. In 2004, construction began on a new museum, which was completed in 2010. The museum occupies a total area of 67,000 square meters and is a National First-Grade Museum. It mainly exhibits Guangdong’s history, culture, art, and natural heritage, featuring a history hall, natural hall, art hall, and a temporary exhibition hall. Its collection includes over 166,000 items, as well as over 100,000 volumes of books and reference materials. Some of the most valuable exhibits include the skeleton of a baleen whale, a giant malachite specimen, and a jade stone from Xinyi weighing over five tons.
The museum’s design resembles a carved treasure box, inspired by traditional Guangdong ivory balls. The structure is organized like the intricate carvings of these balls, with layers of functions connected throughout. The exhibition halls, corridors, and atrium are tightly integrated, unfolding outward in layers. The western entrance leads to a spacious plaza that merges seamlessly with the museum’s surrounding landscape and the central boulevard.
Table of Contents
- Basic Information
- Location and Transportation
- Highlights of Guangdong Museum
- Vlog about Guangdong Provincial Museum
Basic Information
| Estimated Length of Tour | 2 – 3 hours |
| Ticket Price | Free |
| Opening Hours | 9.00 – 17.00; Last admission: 16.00 |
| Telephone Number | 0086-020-38046886 0086-020-38046877 |
Location and Transportation
Guangdong Museum is located at No. 2 Zhujiang East Road, Zhujiang New Town, Tianhe District, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province. To get there, you can choose one of the following ways:
Bus: Take bus 293, 499, or 886 and get off at Haixinsha Park Stop (海心沙公园站).
Metro: The closest metro station to Guangdong Museum is Grand Theater (大剧院) on line APM. After getting out of the station from Exit C9, you will see the museum right in front of you.
Highlights of Guangdong Museum
Guangdong Historical and Cultural Exhibition
The “Guangdong Historical and Cultural Exhibition” spans over 4,000 square meters and displays more than 1,500 artifacts and sets, along with over 300 photographs. As one of the three core exhibitions at the Guangdong Museum, it utilizes a variety of presentation methods such as artifacts, images, paintings, sculptures, models, multimedia, and reconstructed scenes. The exhibition presents the historical and cultural changes in Guangdong from the era of the Maba Man to the founding of the People’s Republic of China. It is divided into four sections: The Origins of Lingnan, Sailing the World, Continuing the Legacy, and The Flames of War on the Guangdong Coast, following a chronological timeline.
Exhibition of Guangdong’s Natural Resources
The “Exhibition of Guangdong’s Natural Resources” covers nearly 4,000 square meters and consists of seven themed exhibitions: geology and landforms, minerals, gems and jade, herbal medicine, terrestrial wildlife, marine life, and paleontology. These themes are represented through exhibitions like Our Home – Geology and Landforms Hall, Our Treasures – Mineral Resources Hall, Spirits of Stone – Gem Hall, Lingnan Herbs – Herbal Medicine Hall, Terrestrial Wildlife Hall, Marine Animal World – Ocean Hall, and Exploring Lost Life – Paleontology Hall.
Chaozhou Wood Carving Art Exhibition
This exhibition is divided into sections on origins, craftsmanship, art, utility, and appreciation. It showcases over 200 wood carvings, including gold-painted lacquer works, large birthday screens, and crab basket round carvings. Unique pieces such as deity shrines, sedan chairs, incense burner covers, food boxes, candy stands, and paper coal tubes are also on display. The exhibition recreates traditional Chaozhou-Shantou household scenes, such as living rooms, bedrooms, and studies, illustrating how wood carvings were used in traditional society.
Exhibition of Ceramics from Various Dynasties
The Exhibition of Ceramics from Various Dynasties traces the history of Chinese ceramics, from the Neolithic period to the Qing Dynasty, showcasing the development, growth, and flourishing of this art form. The exhibit draws on the museum’s extensive collection and features nearly 300 pieces of ceramics. It highlights advancements in craftsmanship, the evolution of ceramic wares, and their role in international trade. The exhibition is divided into four sections: The Dawn of Kilns – Origins of Pottery and Early Ceramics, The Rise of the Ceramic Kingdom – The Development of Ceramics, A Time of Flourishing – The Peak of Ceramic Art, and Pearl of the South – The Development of Guangdong Ceramics.
Duan Inkstone Art Exhibition
The “Zishi Condensed Essence – Duan Inkstone Art Exhibition” spans over 600 square meters and showcases nearly 200 Duan inkstones from the museum’s collection. The exhibition is organized into four sections. The first section, The Origins of Inkstones, provides an overview of the origins of inkstones and the development and historical significance of Duan inkstones. The second section, Exquisite Stone Quality, explores the unique natural properties of Duan stone. The third section, Masterful Craftsmanship, presents the processes of carving, artistic techniques, inkstone shapes and designs, decorative themes, and the principle of using the material’s natural qualities. The final section, Engraved Poetry and Inscriptions, features over 50 Duan inkstones from the Ming and Qing Dynasties, offering deeper insights into the cultural significance of these engraved works.
