Nanjing / China Imperial Examination Museum

The Imperial Examination Museum and the Jiangnan Examination Hall jointly sell tickets. It's recommended to visit the museum first, then go to the Jiangnan Examination Hall for a more immersive historical experience.

The exhibition begins by showcasing the ancient emperors' eagerness to recruit talent, with wax figures depicting the legendary "Three Visits to the Thatched Cottage." The exhibit then presents the evolution of the talent selection system chronologically.

I was particularly interested in an artifact from a Yunnan provincial examination (written in red ink by a third party to prevent cheating). There's also a group of wax figures recreating the palace examination, using projection to make them more lifelike and truly giving the feeling of someone diligently preparing for the exam.

The Imperial Examination Museum also preserves the ruins of the Mingyuan Tower, where examiners would observe candidates during the Jiangnan Examination Hall exams to detect any cheating.

As an aside, the nine days and six nights of examinations, all confined to this small space for taking the exam, using the restroom, and eating—scholars in the past truly endured immense hardship… I have immense respect for every scholar.

📍Fee: 50 RMB (Combined Ticket)

📍Opening Hours: 09:00-22:00

Post by Lee Lee Sam | Nov 2, 2025