The Jili Lake Silk Museum (辑里湖丝馆, Jili Husi Guan) is located in Jili Village, Nanxun, Huzhou. This area is renowned for its rich cultural heritage. As early as 1851, silk products from this region were showcased at the first World Expo in London, where they won a gold medal. Historically, this location was the seat of the Nanxun Chamber of Commerce. The museum building, constructed in 1926 by the then-president of the Chamber of Commerce and other businessmen, is nearly a century old. The museum’s environment is elegant, featuring ancient trees in the central courtyard and surrounding buildings that blend Chinese and Western architectural styles, a rare sight in other ancient water towns.
The Jili Lake Silk Museum offers a diverse range of exhibits. It mainly showcases over 300 items, including tools and books related to mulberry cultivation, silkworm breeding, and traditional farming, which were central to the lives of Jili villagers. These artifacts span early, mid, and modern agricultural eras, illustrating the evolution of farming culture. The museum also highlights the intangible cultural heritage of Jili Lake Silk’s handcraft techniques, with live demonstrations by heritage artisans. Additionally, the museum features the provincial intangible cultural heritage of the Three-Course Tea Ceremony and promotes the cultivation of Nanxun Xiuhua brocade, offering visitors a vivid experience of these cultural practices.
The museum covers an area of 800 square meters and consists of five exhibition halls. Through detailed historical data and artifacts, complemented by multimedia sound and visual technology, the museum comprehensively showcases the historical connection between Nanxun and the World Expos, as well as the rich cultural heritage of Nanxun ancient town. Inside, visitors can see silk weaving machines, baskets, tools, and replicas of medals and certificates won by Nanxun at various World Expos, providing a rich visual experience.
Basic Information
Estimated Length of Tour | 1 hour |
Ticket Price | Included in the ticket for Nanxun Ancient Town |
Opening Hours | 9.00 – 17.00 |
Telephone Number | 0086-0572-3911358 |
Location and Transportation
The Jili Lake Silk Museum is located at 79 Nanxi Street, Nanxun District, Huzhou, Zhejiang Province. To get there, you can take bus 170, get off at Guguanhui Stop (古管会站), and walk about 300 meters to the northeast.