Address: No. 236 Renmin Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing
Opening Hours: 09:00 - 17:00 (Last admission at 16:30, closed on Mondays)
Highlights: First-tier national museum, jointly built by the central and local governments
The Chongqing China Three Gorges Museum, also known as the Chongqing Museum, is an ideal destination for delving into Ba-Yu culture, Three Gorges culture, and Anti-Japanese War culture. Covering an area of 50,000 square meters with a building area of 71,700 square meters, it boasts an exhibition space of 31,000 square meters. The museum's collection is vast, with over 115,000 cultural relics and sets, including 18,000 precious ancient books and manuscripts. It features a diverse range of 23 categories of cultural relics, forming a distinctive collection series centered around "ancient human specimens, Three Gorges cultural relics, and Ba-Yu bronze ware."
Upon entering the museum, visitors will be captivated by permanent exhibitions such as "Magnificent Three Gorges" and "Ancient Ba-Yu." These exhibitions vividly depict the natural scenery, historical changes, and humanistic spirit of the Three Gorges region through a combination of physical objects, images, and multimedia. Additionally, the museum hosts 20-30 temporary exhibitions annually, ensuring a fresh and engaging experience for every visit. Notably, cultural and creative products like the "Little Pink Stove" fridge magnets are highly popular among visitors, making for perfect mementos.
Address: Baoding Mountain Scenic Area, Dazu District, Chongqing
Opening Hours: 09:00 - 16:00
Highlights: A museum on the World Heritage List, specializing in rock carving sites
The Dazu Rock Carvings Museum is renowned worldwide for its unique rock carving art, serving as a precious resource for studying ancient Chinese rock carving art. Represented by the "Five Mountains" rock carving sites—Beishan, Baodingshan, Nanshan, Shimenshan, and Shizhuanshan—the museum showcases the essence of rock carving art from the Tang to Song dynasties. Stepping into the museum, visitors will be awestruck by the lifelike Buddha and Bodhisattva statues, each exuding profound cultural connotations and artistic value, whether they appear solemn, benevolent, or majestic.
In addition to physical displays, the museum employs digital imaging and multimedia interactions to provide visitors with a more intuitive understanding of the creative process and historical context of rock carving art. Here, you can closely appreciate the wisdom and ingenuity of ancient craftsmen, experiencing the grandeur and unique charm of Dazu Rock Carvings.
Address: No. 398 Jinhua Road, Beibei District, Chongqing
Opening Hours: 09:00 - 17:00 (Last admission at 16:30)
Highlights: One of the first national science education bases, a first-tier national museum
The Chongqing Natural History Museum is a comprehensive museum that integrates science education, scientific research, and cultural heritage. Its extensive collection includes over 110,000 items, such as Mesozoic vertebrate fossils, rare flora and fauna specimens from western China, and mineral crystal specimens. These collections not only showcase the evolutionary history of the Earth and biological diversity but also provide visitors with a window to understand and appreciate nature.
Centered around the theme of "Earth, Life, and Humanity," the museum features six thematic exhibitions: "Mysteries of the Earth," "Torrents of Life," "Dinosaur World," "Planet of Animals," "Ecological Homeland," and "Mountain-Water Metropolis." Through a variety of methods, including physical displays, scene reconstructions, and interactive experiences, visitors can learn about natural science in a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere, feeling the wonder and charm of nature.
Address: No. 1561 Nanbin Avenue, Wanzhou District, Chongqing
Opening Hours: 09:00 - 16:30
Highlights: The only thematic memorial museum in China dedicated to commemorating the relocation of one million people for the Three Gorges Project
The Three Gorges Migration Memorial Museum is a museum that carries historical memories and national sentiments. Through sand tables, reliefs, murals, photographs, projections, and multimedia interactions, it vividly portrays the construction process of the Three Gorges Project, the achievements of the Three Gorges relocation work, and the new appearance of the reservoir area. Stepping into the memorial museum, visitors will be deeply moved by the touching stories and images, gaining a profound appreciation for the selfless dedication spirit of the Three Gorges migrants who "sacrificed their small families for the greater good."
This memorial museum not only serves as a record and inheritance of the history of the Three Gorges relocation but also praises and promotes the spirit of unity and perseverance demonstrated by the Chinese people in reform, opening up, and modernization. Here, you can gain a deeper understanding of the historical background and practical significance of the Three Gorges Project, feeling the great achievements of the Chinese people in these endeavors.
Address: No. 52 Hongyan Village, Yuzhong District, Chongqing
Opening Hours: 09:00 - 17:00 (Last admission at 16:30)
Highlights: One of the top ten national red tourism attractions and a national patriotism education demonstration base
The Chongqing Hongyan Revolutionary History Museum is a revolutionary history museum themed around the Hongyan Spirit. It oversees the Hongyan Revolutionary Memorial, the Chongqing Geleshan Revolutionary Memorial, and their affiliated revolutionary sites, totaling 53 sites. Through physical displays, scene reconstructions, and multimedia presentations, these sites and memorials vividly recreate the glorious chapters of the revolutionary martyrs' heroic struggles and selfless dedications.
Upon entering the museum, visitors will be deeply touched by the precious historical relics and moving stories. Here, you can relive the passionate revolutionary years and feel the great power of the Hongyan Spirit. This museum not only serves as a record and inheritance of revolutionary history but also functions as an important base for patriotism education and revolutionary tradition education for the new generation of youth.
The museums in Chongqing are like radiant pearls, scattered across various corners of the city. They not only carry a profound cultural heritage but also showcase the wisdom and creativity of the Chongqing people. Whether you are a history enthusiast, a cultural explorer, or a nature lover, you are sure to find joy and enrichment in these museums. Come and visit these must-see museums in Chongqing! Let them become some of the most unforgettable memories of your trip.
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