The Museum of the Mausoleum of the Nanyue King (南越王博物院) is a large archaeological museum centered around significant historical relics from the ancient Nanyue Kingdom. Established on September 8, 2021, the museum is divided into two main exhibition areas: the royal tomb and the palace. It spans an area of 40,000 square meters, showcasing the Nanyue King’s Tomb, the Nanyue Palace, and the Southern Han Dynasty Palace archaeological sites.
The museum hosts several permanent exhibitions, including “Treasures of Nanyue,” “Two Thousand Years of Lingnan’s Centrality,” and the “Yang Yung-te and Spouse Donated Pillow Collection.” It also frequently organizes various temporary exhibitions.
The Museum of the Mausoleum of the Nanyue King holds over 2,000 years of Lingnan cultural history, serving as an important testament to the diverse unity of Chinese civilization. It provides visitors with a unique cultural window to explore the heritage of Guangzhou and the greater Bay Area.
Table of Contents
- Basic Information
- Location and Transportation
- Exhibitions in the Royal Tomb Area
- Exhibitions in the Palace Area
- Vlog about the Mausoleum Museum
Basic Information
| Estimated Length of Tour | 2 – 3 hours |
| Ticket Price | Palace Area: Free Royal Tomb Area: 10 RMB |
| Opening Hours | 9.00 – 17.30; Last admission: 17.00 Closed on Mondays |
| Telephone Number | 0086-020-83896501 |
Location and Transportation
The Royal Tomb Area is located at 867 Jiefang North Road, Yuexiu District, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province. It was formerly known as the Western Han Nanyue King Museum. You can reach it by taking buses 284, 519, 528, 555, or 5 to Jiefang North Road Bus Stop, and then it’s a short walk to the museum.
The Palace Area is located at 374 Beijing Road, Yuexiu District, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, and was previously the Nanyue King Palace Museum. To get there, take buses 102, 107, 108, 191, or 243 to the Caichang Bus Stop, and then walk to the museum.
Exhibitions in the Royal Tomb Area
History of the Nanyue Kingdom
This exhibition, established in 2021, marks the museum’s first permanent display. It features four sections: “Land of the Baiyue,” “Qin’s Unification of Lingnan,” “Defending and Expanding the Territory,” and “Unifying the Winds of the Empire.” It focuses on artifacts unearthed from the tomb of Zhao Mo, the second king of the Nanyue Kingdom, discovered during a significant 1980s archaeological dig. More than 200 artifacts, including 13 Class I relics, are showcased. The exhibition, however, provides limited information on the broader history of the Western Han’s Nanyue Kingdom.
Relics from the Nanyue King’s Tomb
Discovered in 1983, the tomb of Zhao Mo, the second king of Nanyue, is the largest painted stone chamber tomb from the Han dynasty found in the Lingnan region. In 1996, it was designated a National Key Cultural Relic. Over 10,000 artifacts were excavated, including items of great historical, scientific, and artistic value such as the “Imperial Seal of Emperor Wen,” a jade drinking horn, and a bronze plaque with glass inlay. These items provide insight into the political, economic, and cultural aspects of Lingnan over 2,000 years ago.
Pillow Collection Exhibition
Ceramic pillows, first produced in the Sui dynasty, peaked in popularity during the Tang, Song, Jin, and Yuan periods. They were made in various locations across China, with diverse glazes and forms. These ceramic pillows reflect both craftsmanship and aesthetics. In 1992, renowned Hong Kong collector Yang Yung-te and his wife donated over 200 ceramic pillows to the museum, representing an exceptionally rare and diverse collection. This donation inspired further research and promotion of the culture surrounding these artifacts.
Exhibitions in the Palace Area
Palace of the Nanyue King
In 203 BCE, Zhao Tuo, a former Qin general, established the Nanyue Kingdom in the Lingnan region, with Panyu (modern-day Guangzhou) as its capital. This marked the beginning of Guangzhou’s role as the political, economic, and cultural center of Lingnan for over 2,000 years. The remains of the Nanyue royal palace, including its walls and gardens, were uncovered in the heart of ancient Panyu. These ruins, along with bricks, tiles, wood slips, and pottery fragments, give a vivid picture of the palace’s scientific planning and unique landscape design, bringing the ancient Nanyue Kingdom back to life.
Palace of the Southern Han
In 917 CE, Liu Yan, a former military governor of the Tang dynasty, declared himself emperor and founded the Southern Han Kingdom, with its capital in Guangzhou. He transformed the city into Xingwang Mansion, marking a new era of political and economic prosperity. The Southern Han rulers promoted maritime trade, which helped revive overseas commerce after the chaos of the late Tang period. The Southern Han dynasty left behind grand palaces and gardens, the ruins of which were rediscovered during excavations since the 1950s. These archaeological finds offer a glimpse into the splendor of the Southern Han court.
Two Millennia of Guangzhou as a Famous City
Guangzhou’s documented history as a city dates back to 214 BCE, when Qin Shi Huang unified the Baiyue regions and established the Nanhai Commandery with Panyu as its administrative center. During the collapse of the Qin, Zhao Tuo seized control of Lingnan and founded the Nanyue Kingdom in 203 BCE. The city became a major hub of economic and social development under Nanyue rule. Even after the Han dynasty’s conquest in 111 BCE, Guangzhou remained a key metropolis in China, becoming one of the nine major cities of the era due to the merging of Han and Yue cultures.
Ancient Wells of Guangzhou
The invention of wells allowed early human settlements to move away from reliance on natural water sources, such as rivers and lakes, thus promoting urban development. Archaeological evidence shows that the earliest wells in China date back over 6,000 years to the Hemudu culture in Zhejiang. More than 500 ancient wells have been discovered at the Nanyue royal palace site, making it a natural museum of well culture. These wells reflect the long history of human settlement and water use in Guangzhou, offering insight into the city’s historical water management practices.
