Zhejiang Provincial Museum

Provincial Museum by West Lake

First constructed in 1929, the Zhejiang Provincial Museum was originally named 'Zhejiang Provincial West Lake Museum'. It is the largest human and scientific museum in Zhejiang Province, with a collection of more than 100,000 cultural relics. It is divided into the Solitary Hill Branch, the Wenlan Pavilion, the West Lake Gallery, the Wulin Branch, the Memorial Hall of Huang Binhong, and the Former Residence of Sha Menghai.

 The Solitary Hill (Gushan) Branch of Zhejiang Provincial Museum is situated to the south of the Solitary Hill of the West Lake. It covers a total area of 20,400 square meters (6 acres). It mainly consists of the Main Hall, the Lv Xiaguang Art Gallery, the Chang Shuhong Gallery, the Historical and Cultural Relics Gallery, the Celadon Gallery, the Ancient Currency Hall, the Painting and Calligraphy Hall, and the Hall of Furniture of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) and Qing Dynasty (1644-1911).

It preserves a great number of celadon wares between the Eastern Han Dynasty (25-220) and the Ming Dynasty. They were made in different kilns, such as the Longquan Kiln and the Yueyao Kiln. People can also appreciate ancient bronze mirrors from Kuaiji (today's Shaoxing in Zhejiang Province) and Huzhou. In addition, there are plenty of ancient, modern and contemporary paintings and calligraphies on exhibition. For instance, the works of the great modern painter Huang Binhong exceed 3,700.
 Situated to the southwest of the Solitary Hill Branch of Zhejiang Provincial Museum, the Wenlan Pavilion is a typical courtyard in south of the Yangtze River. The corridors, pavilions, ponds, bridges, and artificial hills are connected with one another. It was renovated in 1974, 1984, 1993, and 2006. The Wenlan Pavilion is renowned as a former storehouse of the largest collection of books in Chinese history, the Complete Library in the Four Branches of Literature. The three-storey pavilion is modeled after the Tianyi Pavilion in Ningbo. There is an Imperial Stele Pavilion to the east. The stele bears the inscriptions of 'Wenlan Pavilion' by Emperor Guangxu of the Qing Dynasty. 
 

An Embroidery Work

Chinese Porcelain

 Located to the east of the Solitary Hill Branch, the West Lake Gallery was built on the site of the State Academy of Fine Arts in October, 1999. In the 1930s, a group of scholars and artists established a Gothic gallery here to sort out Chinese fine art works, to introduce western arts, to integrate domestic and foreign arts, and to create fine arts of the times. The present three-storey gallery consists of a reception room, a hallway, and four exhibition halls. It shows the masterpieces of great artists, introduces the trend of arts, and stages academic exchange seminars.
 The Wulin Branch of the Zhejiang Provincial Museum is located on the West Lake Cultural Square, covering a gross area of 20,991 square meters (5.2 acres). Some temporary exhibitions are held on the floor below the ground. On the three floors above the ground are some permanent exhibitions.

On the first floor above the ground is an exhibition on the history and culture of Zhejiang Province. It is named the 'Epic of the Land of Yue'. There are various relics from the Neolithic Age about 18,000 years ago, including pottery, lacquer wares, wooden wares, bone objects and ivories of the Hemudu Culture, and the jade and silk of the Liangchu Culture. People can also find many kinds of bronze weapons, bronze farm tools, and preliminary porcelain of the Yue State in the Eastern Zhou Dynasty (770-256 BC).

On the second floor is the 'Qianjiang Waves', an exhibition on the modern revolutionary history of Zhejiang. It shows how Chinese People fought for freedom and liberation.

On the third floor is the Painting and Calligraphy Exhibition Hall, the 'Brilliant Craftsmanship' on the Zhejiang Folk Art and Culture, the 'Extraordinary Sounds of Mind' on Chinese Guqin Zithers, and the 'Along Parade of Red Trousseaux' on the local wedding customs. The most famous exhibit in the Painting and Calligraphy Exhibition Hall is the painting 'Dwelling in the Fuchun Mountains' by the great master Huang Gongwang of the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368). The 'Brilliant Craftsmanship' shows people the arts of sculpture, paper-cut, knitting, weaving, and dyeing. As a world intangible cultural heritage, the Chinese Guqin Zithers are shown in the 'Extraordinary Sounds of Mind' on how they are made and played. The 'Along Parade of Red Trousseaux' presents to people the trousseaux, the palanquins, and the matrimonial home. Additionally, it shows how a bridegroom and his friends go to the bride's home to escort her to the bridegroom's. That is very interesting!
  Located at No. 31 on the Qixialing Road, it is the former residence of the great artist Mr. Huang Binhong. He spent his last seven years here. After he passed away, his family donated his works and collections to Zhejiang Provincial Museum to fulfill his last wish and his former residence was used to exhibit the works and collections. Pictures about the great master's life are exhibited in the two-storey hall. Also, there is a sitting statue of Huang Binhong. With his knees to chest, the artist is pondering over something. 
 Covering a total area of 870 square meters (1,041 square yards), the Former Residence of Sha Menghai is situated at No. 15 on the Longyou Road. The extraordinary calligrapher Sha Menghai spent his last years here. His family donated hundreds of his calligraphies and engraving works to Zhejiang Provincial Museum after his death. The existing two-story villa was renovated in November, 2004. The residence is comprised of three halls to show his life, his work, and pictures about him. To the Solitary Hill Branch, the Wenlan Pavilion, and the West Lake Pavilion:
Take bus line Y10, and get off at the Zhejiang Provincial Museum Station.

 To the Wulin Branch:
1. Take metro line 1, get off at the West Lake Cultural Square, leave from Exit C, and walk westward.
2. Take bus line 19, 30, 38, 67, 203, 206 or 7b, get off at the Xihu Wenhua Guangchang, and walk southwest to get there.

 To the Memorial Hall of Huang Binhong
Take bus line 7, 27, 51, 52, or 118, get off at Yuemiao Station, and walk northwest to the hall.

 To the Former Residence of Sha Menghai
1. Take metro line 1, get off at Fengqi Road, leave from Exit C1, and walk to the residence.
2. Take bus line 7, 10, 16, 25, 27, 49, 51, 102, 103, 103b, or 118 to Qiantangmen Wai Station, and walk northeast to the residence.

Attractions	Entrance Fee	Opening Hours
Solitary Hill Branch, Wulin Branch	Free of Charge	Tuesday to Sunday: 9:00- 17:00 Monday: Closed
Wenlan Pavilion		8:00- 18:00
West Lake Gallery		Tuesday to Sunday: 9:00- 17:00 Monday: 12:00- 17:00
Memorial Hall of Huang Binhong,  Former Residence of Sha Menghai		Tuesday to Sunday: 9:00-16:30 Monday: Closed

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