The Zhongshan Warship Museum (中山舰博物馆), established in December 1999 and officially opened to the public on September 26, 2011, stands as a monumental testament to a significant chapter in China’s modern history. With a sprawling architectural expanse of 11,000 square meters, the museum is strategically located at the Wuchang Baishazhou Hubei Shipyard. It takes its name from the iconic warship, Zhongshan, symbolizing a dedicated effort to preserve and commemorate the historical significance of this vessel.
Designed with an innovative approach that integrates the concept of a museum within a warship, the entire exhibition area comprises the core Zhongshan Warship Museum, the Wuchang Campaign Memorial Park, Victory Square, and Peaceful Homeland. The museum’s collection boasts over 6,000 artifacts primarily related to the Zhongshan warship, offering a multifaceted perspective on the political, military, economic, and cultural activities during various historical periods, as well as portraying the spirit of the Zhongshan ship’s officers and crew.
Table of Contents
- Basic Information
- Location and Transportation
- Architectural Marvel: Unveiling China’s Maritime Legacy
- The Legacy of Zhongshan Warship: A Symbol of Chinese Resilience
- Exhibition Halls: Narrating the Zhongshan Warship Saga
- Vlog about Zhongshan Warship Museum
- Other Museums in Wuhan
Basic Information
| Website | http://www.zhongshanwarship.org.cn/ |
| Estimated Length of Tour | 1 – 2 hours |
| Ticket Price | Free |
| Opening Hours | 9.00 – 17.00; Last admission: 16.00 Closed on Mondays |
| Telephone Number | 0086-027-81561913 |
Location and Transportation
Zhongshan Warship Museum is situated in the southern outskirts of Wuhan, Hubei Province. Its precise address is 1 Jinkou Street, Jiangxia District. To get there, tourists can take bus 910 or 919 and get off at Wujindi Road Zhongshan Warship Museum Stop (武金堤公路中山舰博物馆站).
Architectural Marvel: Unveiling China’s Maritime Legacy
The Zhongshan Warship Museum’s architectural brilliance consists of two interconnected buildings. The first, the Ship Display Hall, features an all-steel structure designed to resemble a battleship. The adjacent three-story building, shaped like a triangle, serves as a general exhibition hall, housing over 3,000 artifacts and historical materials associated with the Zhongshan warship. This unique design creates an immersive experience for visitors, allowing them to explore both the physical structure of the ship and its historical context.
Within the Gold Mouth Battle Memorial Zone, atop Niutoushan Mountain, stands a memorial monument dedicated to the Zhongshan ship’s casualties. Comprising 25 stone pillars, each representing a fallen hero, the monument symbolizes the valor displayed by the 25 Zhongshan ship soldiers who bravely faced Japanese aircraft during the Battle of Wuhan and unfortunately lost their lives.
The Legacy of Zhongshan Warship: A Symbol of Chinese Resilience
Originally named Yongfeng, the Zhongshan warship was a key player in China’s modern history, named in honor of Dr. Sun Yat-sen. Constructed in 1910 by the Qing government at the Mitsubishi Shipyard in Nagasaki, Japan, the ship was launched in June 1912 and joined the Chinese navy in 1913. In June 1922, Dr. Sun Yat-sen personally commanded the ship to quell the Chen Jiongming rebellion. In April 1925, as a tribute to Dr. Sun Yat-sen, the ship’s name was changed to Zhongshan. Tragically, during the Battle of Wuhan in 1938, the Zhongshan ship was bombed and sunk in the Jinkou waters of the Yangtze River by Japanese forces. It was salvaged in 1997 and underwent restoration, finally displayed in the Ship Display Hall of the Zhongshan Warship Museum in May 2008.
Exhibition Halls: Narrating the Zhongshan Warship Saga
The Zhongshan Warship Museum’s exhibition halls are divided into several sections, each offering a comprehensive insight into the history of the Zhongshan ship:
- Zhongshan Ship Historical Display: This section is divided into three parts, covering the historical background of the Zhongshan ship’s inception, its tumultuous journey, and the restoration, relocation, and construction of the museum.
- Fine Display of Retrieved Artifacts: In 1997, the Zhongshan ship was salvaged from the Jinkou waters in Wuhan, bringing with it nearly 5,000 artifacts. A meticulous selection process resulted in the exhibition of around 200 high-quality items, showcasing plaques, ship facilities, daily life items, and weapons and equipment.
- Zhongshan Ship Body Reconstruction Display: This section meticulously reconstructs the external appearance of the Zhongshan ship, its on-board equipment, facilities, and some compartments, based on historical records. The display preserves the scars of the ship from the Battle of Wuhan in 1938, considering it as a monumental artifact within the museum.
