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Built within the Wuhou Temple in Nanyang, the Nanyang Museum is the largest comprehensive local museum in southwestern Henan Province and a recognized patriotic education base in Henan Province. The museum boasts a rich collection and strong professional and technical expertise, housing nearly 20,000 cultural relics and historical photographs, many of which are considered precious. The museum currently employs 120 staff members, including three with senior professional titles, six with intermediate titles, and 18 with junior titles. Construction of a new building is currently underway.
Founded on October 1, 1959, the Nanyang Museum is the largest comprehensive local museum in southwestern Henan. The museum is located in the Wuhou Temple, originally built during the Wei and Jin dynasties, flourished during the Tang and Song dynasties, and continued to flourish through the Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties. The temple, facing west and east, boasts 155 existing corridors and verandas, covering a total area of over 200 mu (approximately 266 acres). The grounds are dotted with towering ancient cypresses, creating a picturesque scene. Along the central axis are the mountain gate, the Great Hall, Zhuge Thatched Cottage, the Small Rainbow Bridge, and Ningyuan Tower; flanking them are the Zhuge Well, the Reading Terrace, the East and West Corridors, the Ancient Cypress Pavilion, the Gonggeng Pavilion, the Yeyun Temple, the Old Dragon Cave, the Moon-Banning Terrace, the Guan-Zhang Hall, and the Three-Gu Hall. The Great Hall and Ningyuan Tower are the main buildings of the temple, featuring hip roofs and double-eaved hipped-roofed structures, respectively. The temple houses over ten vivid and lifelike clay sculptures of Shu Han figures. The gate is inlaid with the characters "Wu Hou Temple" in Guo Moruo's handwriting, and the thatched cottage is hung with plaques "Zhuge Hut" written by Yu Youren and "Zhuge Cao Hut" written by Guo Moruo. In 1996, the Wu Hou Temple in Nanyang was announced by the State Council as a national key cultural relic protection unit.
With a temperate monsoon climate, the museum showcases Nanyang's developed commerce, handicrafts, and iron smelting industries during the Eastern Han Dynasty, as well as the great contributions made by scientist Zhang Heng and medical saint Zhang Zhongjing to my country's history and culture. It reflects the "beautiful and healthy" scene of Nanyang during the Eastern Han Dynasty and its important position in history. It is suitable for travel in all seasons.
The museum houses over 16,000 cultural relics and over 50,000 ancient coins, including nearly 100 first-class and 500 second-class items. These items are categorized into 12 categories: gold, silver, copper, iron, ceramics, jade, wood, and bone. The museum boasts a rich collection of Han Dynasty artifacts, including over 200 Han Dynasty bronze mirrors. Gilded bear-footed bronze jars, small-mouthed, straight-necked, incised bronze pots, water jugs shaped like warding off evil spirits, bean-shaped and duck-shaped bronze incense burners, human-shaped bronze washbasins, door knockers with rings in their mouths, copper measuring vessels, the Zhang Jing stele, the Li Mengchu stele, the Zhao Lu stele, and other artifacts, such as Tianlu and Bixie, are all masterpieces of Han Dynasty art and are ideal for exploring.
It is recommended to play for about 2 hours.
free
7:00-17:00
Nanyang Museum highlights the rich cultural and historical legacy of Nanyang, Henan. It houses artifacts from various dynasties, including ancient tools, ceramics, and cultural relics, illustrating the city’s development and role in Chinese history.
Entrance is generally free, but special exhibitions may require a small ticket, purchased at the museum entrance or occasionally online.
Advance booking is not required for regular visits. For special exhibitions or group tours, book 1–2 days ahead.
Approximately 2–3 hours to view permanent and temporary exhibitions thoroughly.
Guided tours are available in Chinese; limited English-language tours may be arranged on request.
Night visits are generally not offered. Special tours may be available during cultural events or holidays.
The museum is usually not crowded; weekday mornings are the quietest times.
Yes, ramps and elevators make the museum accessible for elderly, children, and visitors with disabilities.
Cash, cards, and mobile payments (Alipay, WeChat Pay) are widely accepted for any purchases or entrance fees.
Several local restaurants and cafés nearby serve Henan cuisine and light refreshments.
Vegetarian options are available nearby; vegan and halal options may be limited.
Hotels and guesthouses of various budgets are located within walking distance or a short taxi ride from the museum.
Museum shop offers postcards, miniature replicas of artifacts, and books on local history.
