The Hangzhou Arts and Crafts Museum (杭州工艺美术博物馆) is a thematic museum funded by the Hangzhou Municipal People’s Government. It is situated in the historical and cultural district west of the Gongchen Bridge in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China. The museum is an expansion and upgrade of the original district, which housed three national museums – China Knives, Scissors, and Swords Museum, China Fans Museum, and China Umbrellas Museum. Together with these three museums, it forms a museum community characterized by the canal landscape, historical architecture, and arts and crafts.
The museum’s building was renovated from the old factory of the Hangzhou Honglei Silk Mill, effectively preserving its industrial texture. The total construction area is 18,930 square meters, with a building area of 5,149 square meters. The entire museum complex covers an area of 47,309 square meters, with a total construction area of 37,862 square meters and an exhibition area of 14,264 square meters. The museum’s layout is rational, with complete functions to meet the diverse needs of visitors for viewing, appreciation, learning, exchange, shopping, or leisure.
The museum is divided into four floors, with the third floor housing a 3,000-square-meter basic display area divided into six categories: carving, ceramics, weaving, embroidery, metal crafts, and folk arts and crafts. It showcases the development history and artistic achievements of Hangzhou’s arts and crafts. Additionally, there is a second classroom interactive area where craft-related experiential learning activities can be conducted. The second floor consists of master studios and temporary exhibition halls, serving as a platform for artistic exchanges and research. The first floor serves as a public service area and boutique exhibition and sales area, with dedicated leisure spaces.
The concept behind the museum’s establishment is to focus on knives, scissors, swords, fans, umbrellas, and the traditional handicrafts and arts of the Hangzhou region. Through the collection and display of historical relics and contemporary art masterpieces, showcasing artisans and inheritors of intangible cultural heritage, and organizing rich and innovative public participation activities, the museum aims to create a “showcase,” “exchange platform,” and “industry bridge” for arts and crafts and intangible heritage protection. It not only showcases the charm and value of Hangzhou’s arts and crafts to the world but also provides a platform for communication, learning, and heritage preservation.
Basic Information
| Estimated Length of Tour | 1 – 2 hours |
| Ticket Price | Free |
| Opening Hours | 9.00 – 16.30; Last admission: 16.00 Closed on Mondays |
| Telephone Number | 0086-0571-88197511 |
Location and Transportation
The Hangzhou Arts and Crafts Museum is located west of the Gongchen Bridge in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China. Its specific address is 336 Xiahe Road, Gongshu District. To get there, you can choose one of the following ways:
Bus: Take bus 1, 15, 58, 65, 98, 129, or 1231, get off at Gongchen Bridge West Stop (拱宸桥西站), and walk about 150 meters to the south to reach the museum.
Metro: The closest metro station to Hangzhou Arts and Crafts Museum is Dayunhe (Grand Canal, 大运河) on line 5. After getting out of the station from Exit D, walk about 800 meters to the southeast to reach the museum.
