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Founded in 1941, the Sichuan Museum is located in the Huanhuaxi Historical and Cultural Scenic Area in Chengdu, Sichuan Province. It is the largest comprehensive museum in Southwest China and holds a prominent position among public museums nationwide. It currently houses over 260,000 cultural relics, including over 50,000 precious items. The Sichuan Museum employs over 30 full-time and part-time researchers, who have published works such as "A Study of the Gesar Thangka in the Sichuan Museum Collection," "A Study of Southern Dynasties Buddhist Sculptures Excavated in Sichuan," and "A Collection of Fine Paintings and Calligraphy in the Museum Collection." In October 2012, the museum was designated a National First-Class Museum.
The Sichuan Museum currently boasts 14 exhibition halls totaling 12,000 square meters, housing ten permanent exhibitions, including calligraphy and painting, ceramics, bronzes, ethnic relics, arts and crafts, Tibetan Buddhism, Wanfo Temple stone carvings, Zhang Daqian's calligraphy and painting, and Han Dynasty pottery and stone art. The museum also features four temporary exhibition halls for various exhibitions. The new museum also features a lecture hall accommodating over 200 people for large-scale conferences and academic lectures.
Subtropical monsoon humid climate;
Visiting museums in all seasons
Permanent Exhibition
Zhang Daqian Calligraphy and Painting Museum
The Sichuan Museum houses a large collection of Zhang Daqian's paintings, particularly his copies of Dunhuang murals. Zhang Daqian copied over 200 Dunhuang murals, 183 of which are in the Sichuan Museum's collection. Zhang Daqian's time in Dunhuang was limited, and most of his copies were unfinished. Upon returning to Sichuan, he folded and crated his paintings, which were subsequently stored in locations such as Zhaojue Temple and Shahe Village. In 1963, Zhang Daqian's family officially donated these artifacts to the Sichuan Museum, where they remain to this day.
Bashu Bronze Museum
The Sichuan Museum houses a large collection of exquisite bronze artifacts unearthed from a series of major archaeological discoveries since the 1950s, including those at Xinfan Shui Guanyin, Ba County Dongsunba, Zhaohua Baolunyuan, Pengzhou Zhuwa Street, Chengdu Yangzishan, Chengdu Baihuatan, Chongqing Fuling Xiaotianxi, Xindu Majiaxiang, Guanghan Sanxingdui, Chengdu Jinsha, as well as Maoxian and Xuanhan counties.
Wanfo Temple Stone Carving Museum
Since its excavation in 1882, the Wanfo Temple site has yielded a large number of stone sculptures, totaling approximately 200 pieces, four times since its excavation. Two of these excavations yielded sculptures, most of which are now part of the Sichuan Museum's collection. These include Buddha statues, Bodhisattva statues, stele statues, niches, musicians, and various architectural components. The unearthed sculptures, dating from the Southern Liang Dynasty (420-589 AD), are clearly dated and serve as valuable material for the study of early Buddhist art.
It is recommended to play for about 2 to 3 hours
Free admission, but not free tickets. A limited number of 4,000 tickets are issued each day.
Tuesday to Sunday (Open on Mondays when a national holiday falls)
Summer: 09:00 to 21:00 (ticket collection ends at 20:30)
Winter: 09:00 to 20:00 (ticket collection ends at 19:30)
The Sichuan Museum in Chengdu is the largest museum in the province, dedicated to preserving the rich history and culture of Sichuan. The museum is home to significant collections from ancient Shu civilization, including bronze, jade, and pottery artifacts, as well as exhibits on Sichuan’s modern history. It serves as a major educational institution and cultural hub in the region.
The Sichuan Museum is located in the Wuhou district of Chengdu. You can reach the museum by taking Metro Line 2 and getting off at the Sichuan Gymnasium station. Alternatively, buses and taxis are also convenient ways to reach the museum, with the museum being a well-known landmark in the city.
The museum is open daily from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, with the last entry at 4:30 PM. The best times to visit are on weekdays, especially in the morning, as the museum tends to be less crowded compared to weekends or public holidays.
The general entrance fee is around ¥60 for adults. Admission is free for students and children under a certain age. Tickets can be purchased at the museum entrance or online through official platforms, though advanced booking is recommended during busy seasons.
It’s not mandatory to book tickets in advance, but it is highly recommended, especially during peak tourist seasons or weekends. Booking a few days in advance should be sufficient to secure entry.
A visit typically takes around 2-3 hours to explore the main exhibits. If you’re particularly interested in specific collections, such as the Shu civilization artifacts, you might spend 4 hours or more at the museum.
Guided tours in Chinese are available. Audio guides in English and Chinese are also offered, which can be rented at the entrance for a more in-depth understanding of the exhibits.
Start with the permanent exhibitions to get an overview of Sichuan’s history, followed by the galleries dedicated to ancient Shu culture. Conclude your visit with a walk through the folk art displays and temporary exhibitions for a broader cultural perspective.
The museum does not offer night visits or light shows. However, it occasionally hosts special temporary exhibitions and cultural events, so it’s worth checking their schedule before your visit.
The museum is usually less crowded on weekdays, particularly in the mornings before noon. Weekends and public holidays, especially during Chinese New Year and National Day, can see larger crowds.
The museum is fully accessible for elderly and disabled visitors, with ramps and elevators available. Children can also enjoy the interactive displays and hands-on exhibits.
Cards, mobile payments (such as WeChat Pay and Alipay), and cash are all accepted for tickets and purchases in the museum.
Vegetarian options are widely available in local Sichuan restaurants. However, vegan and halal food may require more effort to find, so it’s advisable to inquire beforehand.
The museum has souvenir shops that sell items like reproductions of ancient artifacts, local handicrafts, traditional Chinese tea, and museum-related merchandise.
From the museum, you can take a taxi or use public transport (metro or bus) to visit other attractions in Chengdu, such as the Chengdu Panda Base or the Sichuan Opera for a cultural experience.
