Artifacts from Qin and Han dynasties display at National Museum of China

APD NEWS

text

More than 300 precious artifacts from ancient China's Qin and Han dynasties have been on display at the National Museum of China in Beijing since Sunday.

The Qin (221-206 B.C.) and the subsequent Han (202 B.C. - 220 A.D.) dynasties played a crucial role in Chinese history as they unified China and establish a centralized empire, which endured and evolved down through the 20th century.

Artifacts from Qin and Han dynasties on display at National Museum of China /Photo via rmzxb.com

At the exhibition, visitors can see rare ceramics, metalwork, textiles, sculpture, painting, and calligraphy. Among the highlights are renowned terracotta warriors, bronze money tree, and the Gilt Bronze Human-Shaped Lamp, which is displayed for the first time in an exhibition away from its owner, the Hebei Museum in central China.

The artifacts are from over 30 museums and archaeological institutions across China.

"Many of the items on display are the most valuable ones at local museums. It's very difficult to bring them together for the exhibition," said Wang Jun, director of the Art Exhibitions China.

Gilt Bronze Human-Shaped Lamp on display at National Museum of China. /Global Times Photo

Some of the artifacts were displayed in an exhibition earlier this year at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.

"Compared with the exhibition in the US, this time, the exhibition will not only showcase the artistic beauty of China's artifacts but also to tell Chinese story and history," said Shan Yueying, one of the organizers of the exhibition.

Bronze money tree on display at National Museum of China. /China News Photo

To help more people learn about Chinese history, the organizers configure two-dimensional codes for 60 artifacts. By scanning the Quick Response (QR) codes, visitors can listen to stories related to the artifacts and the history behind them.

The exhibition will last until November 30. The museum offers 3,000 free tickets for the exhibition every day.

(CGTN)