The Hunan Provincial Museum (湖南博物院), established in 1897 during the Guangxu era of the Qing Dynasty, is one of China’s first national first-class museums and the largest comprehensive historical and art museum in Hunan Province. The museum’s new building, which opened on November 29, 2017, covers a total area of 49,000 square meters.
With an exhibition area of 27,000 square meters, the museum houses over 180,000 cultural relics. It is particularly renowned for its collection of artifacts from the Mawangdui Han Tombs in Changsha, bronze wares from the Shang and Zhou dynasties, Chu artifacts, ceramics from various dynasties, paintings, and modern relics. Among its highlights are the sheer silk garments, intact printed cotton robes, painted lacquerware, silk paintings, wooden figurines, musical instruments, and weapons. The museum also features a preserved female corpse with her internal organs, a reconstructed large coffin, and artifacts from Tomb No. 3 and Mound No. 2 at the Mawangdui site.
Table of Contents
- Basic Information
- Location and Transportation
- Highlights of Hunan Provincial Museum
- VLog about Hunan Provincial Museum
- Other Notable Attractions in Changsha Downtown
Basic Information
Estimated Length of Tour | 3 hours |
Ticket Price | Free |
Opening Hours | 9.00 – 17.00; Last admission: 16.00 Closed on Mondays |
Telephone Number | 0086-0731-84475933 0086-0731-84415833 |
Location and Transportation
The Hunan Provincial Museum is located at 50 Dongfeng Road, Kaifu District, Changsha City, Hunan Province, China. To get there, you can choose one of the following ways:
Bus: Take bus 3, 112, 113, 131, 136, 146, 150, 203, 222, 282, 358, 520, or 901 and get off at Hunan Provincial Museum Stop (湖南博物院站).
Metro: The closest metro station to Hunan Provincial Museum is Xiangya Hospital. After getting out of the station from Exit 2, walk about 400 meters to the east to reach the attraction.
Highlights of Hunan Provincial Museum
Mawangdui Han Tomb Exhibition

The Mawangdui Han Tomb Exhibition is located on the third floor of the Hunan Provincial Museum, covering an area of 5,243.8 square meters. The exhibition is divided into four sections: “Prologue,” “Remarkable Discoveries,” “Life and Art,” “Silk and Bamboo Collections,” and “Dreams of Immortality.” The tombs belong to Li Cang, the Chancellor of the Kingdom of Changsha during the early Western Han Dynasty, and his family. Excavations conducted between 1972 and 1974 revealed three elaborate and complex tombs. The tomb structures feature a coffin chamber at the bottom of the burial pit, composed of three coffins and supporting timber. Surrounding the wooden coffins, charcoal was packed tightly and sealed with white clay. Over 3,000 burial artifacts were unearthed, including silk textiles, silk manuscripts, silk paintings, lacquerware, pottery, bamboo slips, seals, clay, wooden utensils, agricultural products, and herbal medicines.
History and Culture of Hunan Exhibition

The History and Culture of Hunan Exhibition is located on the second floor of the museum. This exhibition presents the history and culture of Hunan from the perspective of the “Hunanese.” It showcases the natural environment and development of the region in the first section, “Home.” The second section, “Where I Come From,” explores the types of people living in Hunan and how they have evolved. The third section, “Dongting Fish and Rice Region,” highlights how Hunanese obtain their resources for living. The fourth section, “Traces of Life,” reflects the living conditions and customs of different historical periods. Finally, the fifth section, “Soul of Hunan,” captures the spiritual essence and character of the Hunan people.
Changsha Kiln Boutique Exhibition

The Changsha Kiln, a renowned porcelain kiln from the Tang Dynasty, is located in the area around Shizhu Lake in Tongguan Town, Wangcheng District, Changsha, also known as Tongguan Kiln. Discovered in 1956, the site underwent test excavations in 1978 and significant archaeological digs in 1983 and 1999, revealing nearly 10,000 well-preserved porcelain artifacts. The Changsha Kiln flourished after the An Lushan Rebellion and reached its peak during the mid to late Tang Dynasty, declining in the Five Dynasties period. Porcelain from Changsha Kiln has been found in 12 provinces across China, including Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Guangdong, Guangxi, Henan, Hebei, Hunan, and Hubei, as well as in 13 countries abroad, such as North Korea, Japan, Indonesia, Iran, and Saudi Arabia. Notably, the discovery of over 50,000 pieces of Changsha Kiln porcelain from the “Black Stone” shipwreck indicates that this kiln produced both daily-use porcelain for local residents and significant quantities for export during the Tang Dynasty.
The Beauty of Chu-Han Lacquerware

Thousands of lacquerware pieces from the Chu-Han period have been unearthed in Hunan, with over 500 pieces recovered from the three Han tombs at Mawangdui alone. The lacquerware can vary in size and shape, serving both daily life and funerary purposes. Craftsmen skillfully applied intricate patterns using flexible brushes and oil paints, leveraging the durability and striking contrast of red and black lacquer to create visually stunning designs. This art form highlights the vivid colors and lively motifs of Chu lacquerware, embodying the enduring spirit of a bygone era. Behind the vibrant patterns lies a historical narrative that encapsulates the rich legacy of Chu-Han lacquerware craftsmanship.
Xiang Embroidery Artifacts Exhibition

Xiang embroidery uniquely integrates various traditional Chinese art forms, including painting, embroidery, poetry, calligraphy, and stone inscriptions. This embroidery style is based on traditional Chinese painting, utilizing over 70 stitching techniques and more than 100 colors of thread to vividly depict the characteristics of subjects. The resulting artworks are known for their lifelike representations, vibrant colors, strong textures, and harmonious style. Xiang embroidery is celebrated both domestically and internationally, with the saying, “The embroidered flowers emit fragrance, the embroidered birds can be heard, the embroidered tiger can run, and the embroidered figures convey spirit,” highlighting its exceptional artistry. The “Dazzling Xiang Embroidery Artifacts Exhibition” features a selection of valuable and collectible Xiang embroidery drafts and masterpieces from the museum’s collection. Among the exhibits are remarkable works by renowned artists like Yang Shizhuo and Yang Peizhen, as well as early drafts and pieces from the foundational Xiang embroidery workshops, providing viewers with a rich appreciation of this exquisite craft.
Miao Embroidery Artifacts Exhibition

Among the various ethnic minority cultures, embroidery stands out as one of the most colorful and vibrant expressions. Miao embroidery is a significant aspect of this cultural tapestry, characterized by its unique features and rich heritage. The Miao people in Hunan trace their origins back to the “Jiu Li” during the Yellow Emperor’s time and the “San Miao” from the Yao and Shun eras. After being defeated by Yu in the lower reaches of the Yangtze River, some Miao ancestors migrated along the Yuan River and through the Wuxi region into Xiangxi, where they gradually developed a distinctive and enchanting Miao culture.
Miao embroidery differs from other styles such as Xiang, Shu, and Su embroidery, gaining fame for its vibrant ethnic style, elaborate compositions, and rich colors. It is considered a pinnacle of Chinese ethnic embroidery and serves as a primary decorative element in Miao clothing, representing the cultural identity of Miao women. The themes of Miao embroidery are diverse, including dragons, birds, fish, bronze drums, flowers, and butterflies, as well as images reflecting Miao history.
Collection of Miao Silver Jewelry

The Miao people, known for their long history and significant population, primarily reside in the Xiangxi region of Hunan Province. The Miao have a deep appreciation for silver, which symbolizes brightness and wealth in their folklore. Traditionally, Miao clothing is dyed in dark indigo colors, making the bright white silver jewelry even more striking and enhancing the beauty of their attire. Many Miao traditional outfits are adorned with silver jewelry, creating a dazzling and luxurious appearance that highlights the cultural significance of these silver adornments.
Collection of Mythical Beast Bronze Mirrors

Mythical beast mirrors are a type of ancient bronze mirror featuring high relief designs of deities, such as the Queen Mother of the West, and mythical creatures like dragons and spiritual birds. These mirrors first emerged in the mid Eastern Han Dynasty, gained popularity during the late Han to the Three Kingdoms period, and continued to be crafted through the Northern and Southern Dynasties.
Based on their decorative content and composition, mythical beast mirrors can be classified into various types, including ring-shaped mirrors characterized by circular designs, opposing mirrors displaying mirrored images of beasts facing each other, decorative band mirrors featuring intricate bands of designs, and repetitive mirrors showcasing multiple images of beasts in a repeating pattern. The craftsmanship of these mirrors is intricate and showcases sophisticated concepts and profound philosophical meanings. They hold a significant position in the history of Chinese bronze mirror development, reflecting the artistic and cultural richness of their time.