Live Your Best Lives
Shangqiu Museum is the first museum in China to showcase the history and civilization of Shang culture. It is also known as the "China Shang Culture Museum". It is also the largest comprehensive museum in Shangqiu City that fully displays the history of Shangqiu civilization from ancient times to the present. It is located 1.5 kilometers southwest of Shangqiu Ancient City in Suiyang District, Shangqiu City, Henan Province. It is adjacent to the Huashang Cultural Heritage Theme Park in the west and Huashang Avenue in the south. [1]
The Shangqiu Museum was founded in October 1983. The old building was demolished in 2004. The foundation stone for the new museum was laid in December 2009, and construction began in 2010. After six years, the museum had a soft opening on May 18, 2016, and officially opened on June 6. The new museum covers a total area of 74,000 square meters (approximately 110.4 acres), with a total construction area of 29,672 square meters and an exhibition area of 7,750 square meters. It houses a collection of 20,000 cultural relics, most of which were unearthed through field archaeological excavations in Shangqiu or collected from the public.
To enter the Shangqiu Museum, one first ascends the embankment via the grand staircase and ramp facing Huashang Avenue. From there, one crosses the water to the museum's introductory hall. From there, one can gaze down at the 12-meter-high introductory hall backdrop and immerse oneself in the mysterious, profound, and enduring history of Chinese Shang culture, beginning with the mythical bird "Xuanniao giving birth to the Shang Dynasty." From the introductory hall, one descends to the first floor lobby, where one enters the 18-meter-high shared hall, symbolizing the ancient city of Shangqiu. From there, one ascends the ramp, progressing through the exhibition halls. Upon reaching the rooftop terrace, from the four corner observation decks, one can gaze out over the surrounding historical relics, including Yanbo Terrace, the ancient city of Shangqiu, and the ruins of the Shangqiu wharf on the Sui and Tang Grand Canal.
Shangqiu has a temperate monsoon climate. The old building of the Shangqiu Museum, a replica of a Eurasian-style building, has a usable area of 2,700 square meters. It opened to the public on October 1, 1989, to celebrate the 35th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, with the large-scale "Shangqiu Historical Relics Exhibition." It is a pleasant place to visit in all seasons.
From the north side of Huashang Avenue, ascend the steps and ramp to the embankment, then follow the main approach bridge to the museum's introductory hall. From the hall, you can gaze down at the 12-meter-high introductory hall wall and experience the mysterious, profound, and profound history of the development of Chinese Shang culture, beginning with the mythical bird "Xuanniao giving birth to the Shang Dynasty." From the introductory hall down to the first floor, you enter the 18-meter-high shared hall, symbolizing the ancient city of Guide Prefecture. From there, you can ascend the ramp to visit the various exhibition halls one by one. This is a great place to explore the various exhibition halls.
It is recommended to play for about 3 hours.
free
Tuesday to Sunday 09:00-17:00
Shangqiu Museum is the first museum in China dedicated to displaying the civilisation of the Shang culture. Located in Shangqiu, Henan Province—an important ancient city—it houses relics which trace the region’s history from pre-history through the Han dynasty. It serves as a centre for local cultural heritage and education.
The museum is located at No. 183 Kaixuan Middle Road, Liangyuan District (西段华商大道 / Huashang Avenue area), Suiyang District, Shangqiu City, Henan Province. You can take a local bus (e.g., Bus No. 9, No. 90) to the “Huoshentai” stop and walk to the museum; taxis from the city centre are also simple.
The museum is open Tuesday to Sunday from about 09:00 to 17:00 (last admission ~16:00); it is closed on Mondays (except public holidays). Visiting in the morning soon after opening is best to avoid crowds and give ample time for the exhibits.
Admission is free. You may need to register or collect a free ticket on-site with your ID.
No advance booking is strictly required for normal visits. On busy days or for special exhibitions it may help to reserve early via the museum’s official channels or WeChat account.
Allocate about 1.5 to 2 hours for the full permanent exhibition. If you include special exhibits or plan a slower pace, up to 3 hours is reasonable.
Chinese-language self-guided and staff-assisted tours are available; English-language audio guides appear limited. For a non-Chinese speaker it is helpful to download a translation app or ask for bilingual signage where available.
The museum’s architecture features stacked volumes and terraces—walking the ramp and looking down into the exhibition halls gives dramatic photographic angles. Inside, the major bronzes and jade pieces are illuminated for photos.
Start at the entrance preface hall → proceed to the earliest civilization sections → move chronologically through Shang and Han exhibits → finish in the folk culture and local heritage zone before exiting. The architecture encourages an upward/rampered route.
The museum does not appear to routinely offer night visits or light shows. Special exhibitions may run into evening hours—check the museum’s announcements ahead of time.
Weekday mornings are generally quiet. Weekend afternoons and holidays tend to attract more visitors. Visit early in the day for a calmer experience.
The museum has restrooms, seating areas, and a small gift shop. Outside the museum you’ll find snack vendors and cafés near the Huashang Avenue area. Bring a water bottle and allow for rest breaks.
Yes, the museum is accessible to families and older visitors. It has ramps as part of its architecture. Wheelchair access may be available—check at reception for assistance. Children will benefit from the interactive zones.
For free admission the main requirement is ID registration; the gift shop and café will accept mobile payments (WeChat Pay, Alipay) and cards. Carrying a small amount of cash is still recommended for vending machines.
Outside the museum along Huashang Avenue there are local restaurants serving Henan-style cuisine, cafés and snack stalls. Inside the museum the café is limited—best to get refreshments outside.
Vegetarian options are available in local eateries (vegetable stir-fries, noodles). Halal-certified menus are fewer—ask at restaurants for halal or Muslim-friendly dishes.
There are mid-range hotels and business hotels in Suiyang and Liangyuan Districts of Shangqiu within 10-15 minutes of the museum. Staying downtown gives easy access to restaurants and public transit.
You could combine a visit to the museum with Shangqiu Ancient City (ancient city walls, old streets), and to the nearby Mangdang Mountain Scenic Area featuring the Han-Liang royal tombs and nature walks.
The museum gift shop sells postcards, prints of bronze artefacts, local craft souvenirs and books on Shang culture. Outside you’ll find more local specialty shops (e.g., Henan peanuts, dried tofu sticks).
After your visit you can take a taxi or local bus back to Shangqiu Railway Station or explore other sights in the city. Public buses continue along Huashang Avenue and the main bus hubs are nearby.
