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Shaanxi History Museum

One of China's most important history museums with over 170,000 artifacts

Shaanxi History Museum Guide

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Shaanxi History Museum Overview

A comprehensive guide to the Shaanxi History Museum, one of China's most important history museums.

The Shaanxi History Museum (陕西历史博物馆) is one of China's most important history museums, housing over 170,000 artifacts spanning 115,000 years. The museum's collection includes precious relics from the Tang Dynasty, the Terracotta Army, and Silk Road treasures. A must-visit for understanding Chinese civilization and the pivotal role Shaanxi Province played in China's history.

The museum was established in 1991 and covers over 55,000 square meters. Its permanent exhibition 'Ancient Shaanxi' is divided into seven galleries covering the Prehistoric Age, Western Zhou, Qin, Western Han, Wei-Jin-Northern-Southern Dynasties, Sui-Tang, and Song-Yuan-Ming-Qing periods. Notable exhibits include the 16-ton bronze He Zun vessel, the Tang Dynasty gold and silver wares, and wall paintings from ancient tombs.

170,000+

Artifacts

115,000

Years Spanned

55,000

Square Meters

Yanta District

9:00 - 17:00 (Tuesday-Sunday)

Free (reservation required)

Year-round

Museum Treasures

Seventeen must-see national treasures, organized by floor for your visit. Plan at least 3–4 hours to do them justice.

B1——Grand Tang Dynasty Treasures Gallery

Gem-inlaid Beast-head Agate Cup (镶金兽首玛瑙杯): The museum's signature piece and a Silk Road icon — carved from banded agate with a gold-inlaid rim.
Gold Bowl with Mandarin Duck & Lotus Petals (鎏金鸳鸯莲叶碗): Peak Tang goldwork — pure gold, chased with ducks and lotus motifs, exquisitely luxurious.
Gilt Silver Ewer with Dancing Horse (鎏金舞马衔杯银壶): One-of-a-kind — the only artifact commemorating Xuanzong's dancing-horse birthday spectacle.
Silver Incense Pouch with Grape & Bird (葡萄花鸟纹银香囊): An ancient gyroscope — rotate it and the incense inside never spills. A viral internet favorite.
Gilt Silver Jar with Parrot Handle (鎏金鹦鹉纹银罐): Hoarded under Hejiacun — a masterpiece of Tang silver craftsmanship with elaborate decoration.
Pure Gold Walking Dragon (纯金走龙): A tiny, slender gold dragon — the pinnacle of Tang fine metalwork.

2F——Thematic Galleries

Tang Dynasty Gallery (唐代展厅):
- Tricolor Camel with Musicians (唐三彩载乐骆驼): A Tang icon — a camel carrying Hu musicians, evoking the cosmopolitan era.
- Phoenix-headed Ewer (凤头壶): Blends Sogdian flask form with Chinese phoenix culture — Silk Road crossroads.
- Gilt Iron-cored Copper Dragon (鎏金铁心铜龙): A powerful, dynamic dragon — the epitome of Tang grandeur.
- Tricolor Pagoda Jar (三彩塔罐): Buddhist-themed sancai with brilliant glazes — a perfect fusion of faith and craft.
- Painted Glazed Music-Dance Figurines (彩绘釉陶乐舞俑): Recreates Tang court music and dance in vivid detail.
- Tricolor Female Toilette Figurine / Tricolor Female Figurine (三彩梳妆女俑 / 三彩仕女俑): Plump, elegant, and graceful — the classic Tang ideal of feminine beauty.
Wei–Jin–Northern–Southern Gallery (魏晋南北朝展厅):
- Dugu Xin's Multi-sided Coal-jade Seal (独孤信多面体煤精印): The "college-exam internet-famous" relic — 26 faces, 14 inscribed, an ancient multi-purpose seal.
- Painted Gold-decorated Anjia Stone Bed (安伽彩绘贴金石棺床): A Sogdian noble's funeral bed — precious evidence of East-West cultural fusion.
Song–Liao–Jin Gallery (宋辽金展厅):
- Yaozhou Ware Celadon Inverted Pour Ewer (耀州窑青瓷倒装壶): Ancient clever engineering — fill from the bottom and nothing leaks from the top!
Ming Dynasty Gallery (明代展厅):
- Painted Pottery Honor Guard (彩绘陶仪仗俑): Over 300 figurines form a grand procession — a vivid snapshot of Ming royal funeral rituals.
Han Dynasty Gallery (汉代展厅):
- Green-glazed Pottery Tower (绿釉陶楼): A miniature Han-era residential building — essential for studying ancient Chinese architecture.