☂️ China Umbrella Museum – Stories Beneath Every Canopy

Did you know that Hangzhou is home to the largest umbrella museum in the world? The China Umbrella Museum (中国伞博物馆) sits right by Gongchen Bridge, and it’s an eye-opening journey through 2,000 years of umbrella culture.

✨ What you’ll discover inside:
1️⃣ Origins of the Umbrella – Explore ancient legends about umbrellas’ beginnings, from lotus leaf inspirations to carriage shades, supported by fascinating archaeological finds.
2️⃣ Oil-paper & Cloth Umbrellas – Learn how the invention of paper in the Han dynasty gave rise to oil-paper umbrellas, later evolving into cloth umbrellas with the boom of the textile industry.
3️⃣ Beautiful West Lake Silk Umbrellas – Special exhibits on Hangzhou’s famous silk umbrellas, featuring bamboo ribs, silk canopies, and designs inspired by West Lake’s “Three Pools Mirroring the Moon.”
4️⃣ Umbrella & Culture – How umbrellas became part of rituals, weddings, daily life, and even symbols in art and religion.
5️⃣ Umbrellas Around the World – From Tang dynasty exports to Korea and Japan, to their arrival in Europe by the 16th century, discover how China’s invention reshaped global fashion.
6️⃣ Modern Umbrellas – Follow the story of steel-rib umbrellas from the 19th century to today’s industrial innovations.

📸 The museum also has multimedia rain simulations and misty Jiangnan-style setups – perfect for atmospheric photos!
🎨 Plus, there’s a hands-on workshop area, where you can try assembling an umbrella, painting a canopy, or even repairing one yourself.

📍 Location: 336 Xiaohe Road, Gongshu District, Hangzhou
⏰ Opening Hours: Tuesday–Sunday, 9:00–16:30 (closed Mondays)
💰 Admission: Free

#mytraveldiary #hangzhou #umbrellamuseum #intangibleheritage #伞文化 #文化旅行

Post by NatDiscoversAsia | Sep 24, 2025