Sichuan Museum (四川博物院) is a comprehensive museum located in the city of Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China. The museum covers an area of 50,000 square meters and has a collection of over 300,000 cultural relics, including pottery, bronze wares, calligraphy, paintings, jade, and ancient coins.
The museum’s exhibitions are divided into several sections, including the prehistoric section, the bronze section, the ceramics section, the calligraphy and painting section, and the folk customs section. These sections showcase the development of Sichuan’s cultural history and provide visitors with a comprehensive understanding of the region’s rich cultural heritage.
One of the museum’s most famous exhibits is the Sanxingdui Bronze Mask, which is a symbol of Sichuan’s prehistoric culture. The museum also has a collection of Tang Dynasty ceramics, which are highly valued for their exquisite craftsmanship.
The museum’s architecture is also a highlight, blending traditional Chinese elements with modern design. Its unique design incorporates elements of the Sichuan-style architecture of the Ming and Qing dynasties, such as a grand entrance gate, courtyard-style gardens, and red walls.
In summary, Sichuan Museum is a must-visit attraction for those interested in Chinese culture and history. Its extensive collection of cultural relics and well-designed exhibitions provide visitors with a fascinating glimpse into the region’s rich heritage.
Table of Contents
- Basic Information
- Location and Transportation
- Highlights of Sichuan Museum
- Vlog about Sichuan Museum
- Useful Tips from Genuine Reviews
- Attractions Near Sichuan Museum
- Other Museums in Chengdu
Basic Information
Website | https://www.scmuseum.cn/ |
Estimated Length of Tour | 2 – 3 hours |
Ticket Price | Free |
Opening Hours | 9.00 – 17.00; Last admission: 16.00 Closed on Mondays |
Telephone Number | 0086-028-65521888 0086-028-65521569 |
Location and Transportation
The Sichuan Museum is situated in the downtown area of Chengdu, near the southern bank of the Maodi River. Its address is No. 251Huanhua South Road, Qingyang District, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China. If you are planning to visit the museum, there are several ways to get there.
Bus: Take bus 35, 58, 82, 151, 165, 170, 280, 1024, or 1031, get off at Songxian Brige Stop (送仙桥站), and the Sichuan Museum will be across the road.
Subway: The nearest subway station to Sichuan Museum is Dufu Caotang (杜甫草堂). After getting out of the station, you still need to walk about 800 meters to the east to reach the museum.
Highlights of Sichuan Museum
Sanxingdui Bronze Mask

The Sanxingdui Bronze Mask is one of the most famous cultural relics in China and is housed in the Sichuan Museum in Chengdu. It was discovered in 1986 in Sanxingdui, an archaeological site in Sichuan Province, and is believed to be from the Shu Kingdom during the late Shang Dynasty (12th century BCE). The mask is made of bronze and is almost 1 meter tall, featuring large eyes, protruding ears, and a mysterious smile. It is considered a symbol of the prehistoric culture of Sichuan and is regarded as a masterpiece of ancient Chinese bronze art, with its intricate designs and exquisite craftsmanship.
Tang Dynasty Ceramics

The Sichuan Museum houses a collection of Tang Dynasty ceramics that are highly valued for their exquisite craftsmanship. The Tang Dynasty (618-907 CE) is considered a golden age of Chinese ceramics, and the museum’s collection includes a variety of pottery figurines, tri-color glazed pottery, and celadon ware. The pottery figurines are delicate and vividly depict the daily life and customs of the Tang Dynasty, while the tri-color glazed pottery showcases the colorful glazes that were popular during the period. The celadon ware is known for its elegant simplicity and subtle beauty, featuring a greenish-blue glaze that is characteristic of Tang Dynasty ceramics.
Calligraphy and Painting

The Sichuan Museum has a section dedicated to calligraphy and painting, showcasing masterpieces from famous calligraphers and painters throughout Chinese history. The collection includes works from various dynasties, such as the Tang, Song, Yuan, and Ming. Visitors can admire the beauty of Chinese calligraphy, which is considered an art form in itself, with its elegant strokes and sophisticated styles. The painting collection features landscapes, portraits, and still life paintings, showcasing the development of Chinese painting throughout history. Visitors can also learn about the techniques used in Chinese painting, such as the use of brush and ink, and the incorporation of poetry and calligraphy into the artwork.
Folk Customs

The Sichuan Museum has a section dedicated to the folk customs of Sichuan Province, showcasing the region’s unique customs, festivals, and traditional clothing. The collection includes costumes and accessories worn by different ethnic groups in Sichuan, such as the Yi, Qiang, and Tibetan. Visitors can also learn about the traditional festivals celebrated in Sichuan, such as the Lantern Festival, Dragon Boat Festival, and Mid-Autumn Festival, and the customs associated with them. The exhibition also features traditional handicrafts and musical instruments, highlighting the rich cultural heritage of Sichuan Province and providing visitors with a glimpse into the everyday life of the local people.
Vlog about Sichuan Museum
Useful Tips from Genuine Reviews
Bag Storage: The Sichuan Museum offers free storage for bags, including larger ones.
Restrictions on Items: Visitors are not allowed to bring food, drinks, or pets inside. However, there are vending machines available within the museum.
Audio Guides: Audio guides are available for rent at the entrance for 25 yuan, with a 200 yuan deposit. There are also VR guides recommended, but some reviewers noted that the video quality can be laggy, though the audio is acceptable.
Recommended Nearby Restaurants: High-rated restaurants in the vicinity include Shu Shang Yao (蜀上肴), Chuanxi Bazzi (川西坝子), Xianjia Maogen Pengyou Hot Pot (先家毛根朋友老火锅), Zhong Taipo Lao Ma Tihua (钟太婆老妈蹄花), Bing Ge Wandou Mian (Soldier Brother’s Pea Noodles, 兵哥豌豆面), and Zhi Dou Xiang Doufu Nao (Zhi Bean Fragrant Tofu Puding 知豆香豆腐脑).
The place wasn’t crowded, making reservations easy. The weather was a bit cold today, but the interior was quite stuffy. I took the subway to Qingyang Palace and then walked a short distance to get Sichuan Museum. There were several types of audio guides available, depending on personal preference, but some of the guides did not match with certain exhibits; some items were on loan, and others had been relocated. I followed the sequence of exhibition halls one, two, three,… Read more »
1. It’s free, but you need to make a reservation on the official WeChat account. As expected, there were very few people there. The ginkgo leaves are beautiful in this season, and I even encountered a calm cat. 2. The museum is not very big, and it’s even smaller than the Kaifeng Museum that I’ve visited before. There aren’t many artifacts on display, and there are none from ancient times to the Southern and Northern Dynasties. However, the exhibition design… Read more »
The Sichuan Museum has quite a few exhibition halls. You can explore the history and culture of Sichuan from ancient times to modern periods, including the Ethnographic Museum and the Arts and Crafts Museum. On the basement floor, there’s a temporary exhibition hall featuring “The Ancient Road of Xiongguan: The Interweaving of Heaven, Earth, and Humanity on the Great Shu Road” (雄关古道 经纬中华——大蜀道上的天地人与中国精神). It’s a wonderfully diverse exhibition! I was lucky to catch the tail end of it. I saw… Read more »
The Sichuan Museum allows entry until 6 PM, and the evening crowd is not large, making for a great experience!
It truly lives up to its status as a national first-class museum; the museum’s treasure is very impressive. The only minor drawback is that the nearest subway station is a bit far, and the planned Line 13 is not yet operational. However, this is just a small inconvenience.
The attraction is conveniently located right next to Tianfu Square (天府广场) and is within walking distance to Chunxi Road (春熙路).
The layout and route of the exhibition hall are logical and easy to navigate, with an elevator available for a more effortless experience.
The cultural and creative products offered are innovative and distinctive.
The overall design of the building is unique and photogenic, making it visually appealing both inside and out.
The reputation of the Sichuan Museum is not as big as the newly built Chengdu Museum. The facade is relatively low-key, but the collection is actually not low-key at all. I didn’t pay attention before, but it seems like they have adjusted the layout recently. Now the exhibition halls are arranged in chronological order, allowing visitors to clearly understand the history of Sichuan from ancient times to the Five Dynasties period.
Sichuan Museum is a provincial museum with mediocre collections. It has few exhibition halls and is often not crowded. The temporary exhibitions are lacking, which can be disappointing. However, the ivory carvings of vegetables, locusts, and scenes from the novel “Dream of the Red Chamber” are beautifully crafted.
Sichuan Museum, as a provincial museum, doesn’t have a very rich cultural and creative design. The overall experience is not as good as in Chengdu, but there are still many exquisite cultural relics and the complete ancient history of Sichuan worth seeing. Especially with fewer people and free admission, it is a good place to visit on a weekend in Chengdu.