China National Silk Museum

中国丝绸博物馆

Located on the shores of West Lake in Hangzhou, the China National Silk Museum is the first national silk museum and the largest in the world. Its elegant architecture and the museum's vibrant natural beauty, complemented by mulberry fields, flowing bridges, and picturesque water, offer a truly captivating experience.
The Silk Museum, divided into five halls, tells the story of silk: its origin and development, its main types and production techniques, the Silk Road, and the role of silk in ancient society. The museum also features temporary exhibitions. Interested parties can also purchase silk here.

Attractions Location: No. 73-1, Yuhuangshan Road, Xihu District, Hangzhou City, Zhejiang Province (near Nanshan Road)

Tickets: free

Opening hours:
09:00-17:00 (Tuesday-Sunday, January 1st-December 31st)

Official phone number: Ticketing Inquiry
0571-87035223

Transportation:
Take bus No. 12/31/42 to Silk Museum Station, get off and walk to the destination

Time reference: 1-3 hours


Recommended itinerary for China National Silk Museum tours

1-Day Itinerary: China National Silk Museum & Nearby Attractions

Spend a day exploring Hangzhou’s premier silk museum and nearby highlights for a cultural and historical introduction.

  • Morning: China National Silk Museum – explore silk history, weaving techniques, and traditional costumes. (Transport: Taxi from city center ~20 min; Bus 27/54/187, ~40 min)
  • Late Morning: Visit West Lake Cultural Scenic Area (~10 min taxi or 30 min walk) – stroll along Su Causeway and enjoy lake views.
  • Afternoon: Explore Hubin Shopping District (~10 min taxi from West Lake) – local shops and cafés.
  • Evening: Dinner at local Hangzhou restaurants featuring specialties like Dongpo Pork, Beggar’s Chicken, and West Lake Fish in Vinegar Gravy.

Accommodation/Food: Stay near West Lake or city center. Recommended dishes: Hangzhou-style seafood, local pastries, tea-infused desserts.

Souvenirs: Silk scarves, silk garments, Hangzhou tea, handicrafts.


2-Day Itinerary: Silk Museum + West Lake + Historic Streets

Two days allow for a more immersive experience of Hangzhou’s culture, including museums and historic streets.

  • Day 1: Follow 1-day itinerary.
  • Day 2 Morning: Visit Lingyin Temple (~20 min taxi or 1-hour bus ride) – explore Buddhist carvings and scenic temple grounds.
  • Day 2 Afternoon: Explore Qinghefang Ancient Street (~15 min taxi from Lingyin Temple) – traditional shops, local snacks, and souvenirs.
  • Evening: Return to West Lake or city center for dinner and optional night view of West Lake Light Show.

Accommodation/Food: Stay near West Lake or Qinghefang Street. Recommended dishes: Longjing tea snacks, local noodles, bamboo shoots with pork.

Souvenirs: Silk items, tea, handicrafts, traditional Chinese paintings, local snacks.


3-Day Itinerary: Silk Museum + Temples + Villages + Lakes

Three days allow exploration of museums, temples, and scenic villages around Hangzhou.

  • Days 1–2: Follow 2-day itinerary.
  • Day 3 Morning: Visit China National Tea Museum (~15 min taxi) – exhibits on tea culture and sampling of Longjing tea.
  • Day 3 Afternoon: Explore Meijiawu Tea Village (~10 min taxi from Tea Museum) – tea plantations and traditional architecture, optional tea-picking experience.
  • Evening: Return to city center for dinner and light shopping.

Accommodation/Food: Stay near West Lake or Meijiawu Village. Recommended dishes: tea-infused snacks, Hangzhou-style fish, dumplings.

Souvenirs: Silk, tea leaves, tea sets, handicrafts, Longjing tea-flavored snacks.


4-Day Itinerary: Silk Museum + West Lake + Villages + Cultural Streets

Four days provide a combination of museums, scenic walks, and cultural experiences.

  • Days 1–3: Follow 3-day itinerary.
  • Day 4 Morning: Visit Xixi Wetland Park (~20 min taxi or 1-hour bus) – explore canals, wetlands, and traditional bridges.
  • Day 4 Afternoon: Stroll along Hefang Ancient Street – shopping for silk, handicrafts, and local delicacies.

Accommodation/Food: Stay near West Lake or Xixi Wetlands. Recommended dishes: river fish, dumplings, Hangzhou-style vegetarian dishes.

Souvenirs: Silk scarves, local handicrafts, tea, wetland-themed souvenirs.


5-Day Itinerary: Silk Museum + Temples + Villages + Lakes + Modern Hangzhou

Five days allow combining historical, natural, and modern attractions in Hangzhou.

  • Days 1–4: Follow 4-day itinerary.
  • Day 5 Morning: Visit Leifeng Pagoda (~10 min taxi from West Lake) – historical site with panoramic lake views.
  • Day 5 Afternoon: Explore Hangzhou Grand Canal Scenic Area (~20 min taxi) – boat rides and canal-side sightseeing.
  • Evening: Return to city center for final shopping and dinner at Hubin or Qinghefang Street.

Accommodation/Food: Stay near West Lake or Grand Canal. Recommended dishes: Hangzhou river fish, seafood, traditional pastries.

Souvenirs: Silk, tea, handicrafts, canal-themed souvenirs, local snacks.


6-Day Itinerary: Comprehensive Hangzhou Cultural & Scenic Exploration

Six days allow a thorough visit to museums, temples, scenic lakes, cultural streets, and tea villages.

  • Days 1–5: Follow 5-day itinerary.
  • Day 6 Morning: Visit Huqingyu Tang Chinese Medicine Museum (~15 min taxi) – explore traditional Chinese medicine exhibits.
  • Day 6 Afternoon: Leisure time at West Lake or Meijiawu Tea Village for final tea experiences and photography.

Accommodation/Food: Stay near West Lake or city center. Recommended dishes: Hangzhou-style snacks, tea desserts, freshwater fish dishes.

Souvenirs: Silk, tea, Chinese herbal products, handicrafts, Longjing tea.


7-Day Itinerary: Full Hangzhou Exploration

A full week allows visiting Silk Museum, West Lake, temples, ancient streets, tea villages, canals, wetlands, and modern Hangzhou districts.

  • Days 1–6: Follow 6-day itinerary.
  • Day 7 Morning: Visit Baochu Pagoda (~10 min taxi) – scenic spot overlooking West Lake.
  • Day 7 Afternoon: Stroll along Qinghefang Street or Hubin Shopping Area for last-minute souvenir shopping and light local meals.

Accommodation/Food: Stay near West Lake or city center. Recommended dishes: Hangzhou-style fish, Dongpo pork, dumplings, local desserts.

Souvenirs: Silk scarves and garments, Longjing tea, handicrafts, traditional paintings, tea sets, local snacks.


User Reviews

By 一一Immy |

While the Silk Museum's explanations were poor and empty, with few staff members around, it was difficult to find a guide. The WeChat official account was largely inaccessible due to the museum's vast size. However, the exhibits were quite fascinating. They explained everything from the history of sericulture to silk production, including extensive information on the history of the Silk Road. We didn't fully understand much of the material and could only rely on the museum's text. The text at the Silk Museum is quite detailed, and I'm impressed. I didn't learn that silk, gauze, satin, and satin are categorized by their weaving methods until I visited the museum.

By Those Fleeting Years |

I went there for the second time. It is next to the West Lake. Each exhibition hall is very distinctive, especially the last tour exhibition. The displays and clothes are great. It is worth a visit. There is a temporary exhibition hall when I went there. It is a reunion of the 77th grade printing and dyeing students. It shows the scenes of their study and life in those days. There are all kinds of photos, texts and real objects in those days. It is very immersive. In short, it is worth a visit.

By Xiaomo mother |

During the National Day holiday, I took my baby to Hangzhou. I did a lot of research on how to avoid the crowds. Here, I recommend a place to avoid the crowds: the China National Silk Museum.



📝Address

73-1 Yuhuangshan Road, Xihu District, Hangzhou.



💰Tickets

The China National Silk Museum does not require a ticket. During the epidemic prevention and control period, you need to scan your ID card to enter.



🚌Transportation

You can take bus No. 12 or take a taxi. Bus No. 12 goes to Wulin Night Market. If you want to check in, you can arrange it together.



✅About China National Silk Museum

1️⃣ The China National Silk Museum covers an area of 5 hectares, with a construction area of 8,000 square meters and an exhibition area of 3,000 square meters. It was officially opened to the public on February 26, 1992. The China National Silk Museum showcases China's 5,000-year history and culture of silk. Its basic exhibition consists of five parts: the Preface Hall, the Historical Relics Hall, the Silk Hall, the Dyeing and Weaving Hall, and the Modern Achievements Hall.

2️⃣The China National Silk Museum houses historical relics related to silk from various dynasties since the Neolithic Age, especially Han and Tang Dynasty fabrics unearthed along the Silk Road, Liao and Jin Dynasty artifacts from the northern grasslands, Song Dynasty costumes from the Jiangnan region, official products from the Ming and Qing dynasties, and modern cheongsams and landscape fabrics.

3️⃣In addition to viewing the exhibition, the bookstore and buildings of the China Silk Museum are also places worth checking out.

By Flowers blooming on the roadside |

I really diss this place, it doesn't deserve to be called a museum, the guide's attitude is terrible, the explanation of the items in the museum is just for show, and there are many knowledge errors (I asked a few questions and the guide didn't know, and after talking nonsense, he ignored me and gave me a blank look)

The tour guide's main point was to sell you silk bedding and other things at the end, all while explaining it in a room. The problem was, she didn't let you out until she was done!! She even told me to respect others! What!!!

But if you must watch it by yourself, don't hire a commentator. It's not only a waste of money but also affects your mood!

By China-TravelNote users |

It's great and has a rich culture. I like it very much and my son also likes it.

By Mars User |

It was okay, I gained some knowledge, the environment in the yard was also very nice, and I saw some cute geese when I came out.

The silkworm hall was a bit scary, with all the silkworm eggs and stuff. God knows how I felt when I ate the bread after seeing that...

By Cao Wenhan |

There are many exhibition halls. The first one displays silk fabrics from before the Ming Dynasty (excluding the Ming Dynasty). The upper floor of the building displays silk fabrics from the Ming and Qing Dynasties onwards. There are also displays of weaving machines, mulberry worms, modern silk fabrics, and ethnic minority silk fabrics. Of course, there is also an area selling clothes. This museum should be very interesting for girls (boys who bring girls should bring their own silver bullets).

By Doraemon |

The collection of luxury goods from the early years is so beautiful. Better than the Zhejiang Museum, this is worth coming, it's worth the trip

By Popular |

It is not far from Xia Yuhuang Mountain to Yuhuang Mountain. On the left side of the road is the China Silk Museum, which has 8 exhibition halls including the Prologue Hall, Historical Relics Hall, Folk Customs Hall, Sericulture Hall, Silk Making Hall, Silk Weaving Hall, Printing and Dyeing Hall, and Modern Achievements Hall, showcasing my country's silk culture and development achievements over 5,000 years.

By Thorn |

The museum has many exhibitions and presentations on silk embroidery, and recently also featured an exhibition on European handbags. There's a lot to learn. There's also a needlework experience area.

The downside is that the museum's visitor guidance is rather lacking, and the three circular structures make it difficult to know where to turn.

By COCO |

The Silk Museum focuses on the economic and trade developments brought about by the Silk Road, as well as the history and science of silk products. The most impressive thing was the replica of the Dunhuang murals inside the museum (I didn't take any photos). The second floor features impressive imperial robes worn by Qing Dynasty emperors and princesses! It closes at 5 PM, so get there early.

It is best to buy silk products as gifts for your mother at the Silk Museum, as they are more authentic. The silk shops on the commercial streets are not professional and it is difficult for local people to consider them.

By Heart is far away |

Beautiful, very nice environment. Lots of silk content.

By Travelers Without Borders |

I have always dreamed of going here, and after reading the travel notes and introductions, my yearning for it has become even stronger!

By Hornet's Nest Week |

I walked and stopped because I wanted to go somewhere else. If I didn't go, I would come here. It is a kind of gain.

By Softtail |

It's really beautiful when you go in. Each museum has its own characteristics.

By The Sky on the Other Shore |

Hangzhou, known as the "City of Silk," holds a significant position in China's traditional silk industry. The museum comprises a collection building, a research center, an administrative building, a brocade gallery, a restoration hall, a manufacturing hall, a mulberry silk hall, a fashion hall, a Silk Road hall, and a mulberry house. From the top, the museum resembles a flowing ribbon, and the landscaped gardens within are also very attractive.

By Coach Wen Nuandi |

This textile museum is the best in China! I loved it! 💕 It has a Silk Road Pavilion, a Fashion Pavilion, a Silkworm Pavilion, and a Restoration Pavilion. When I was there, the exhibition "Returning with Glory: French Silk Since 1700" was on. I was lucky enough to appreciate French silk and experience the charm of French art.

By People_can |

I remember when I was a junior high school student, my parents brought me here to learn more. Next to it is Yuhuang Mountain, which is a great place to escape the heat and cool down in the summer.

By Liushang |

After visiting the Zhejiang Provincial Museum, I was very disappointed with the Zhejiang Provincial Museum. However, I came here on the last day. Wow, it is really amazing. It is very large and divided into many halls. There are so many things to see! The only regret is the setting of the glass lighting. One is the reflection, and the other is that the gaps in the glass are always within the exhibits, which affects the photography.

By Pour the wine |

The first attraction I visited in Hangzhou was the Silk Museum. I was particularly impressed by the Silk Road Pavilion, which had a rich collection covering the origins of silk weaving and the evolution of silk weaving techniques throughout the dynasties. The second most popular attraction was the Weaving Pavilion, which displayed a variety of wooden silk weaving machines, both complex and simple, and people actually weaving on site. The entire museum was also quite pleasant, and it was worth spending two or three hours there.

By Yongyong3379 |

It's not worth going. It's not a museum, just a place to buy things. As soon as you enter the door, they recommend you to buy quilts, pajamas and so on.

By Qingyan |

The location is relatively secluded and not crowded, making it a good place to learn about the ancient silk weaving industry. There is also a Silk Road Pavilion that introduces the fusion of Han and Hu styles in silk fabrics.

By B Ta-da |

It can be said that it is very good. Compared with the Provincial Museum, it is beyond expectations. There are many good museums. The textiles inside are beautiful. Walking all the way from Changqiao to the misty rain is also beautiful.

By Allison |

I didn't have high expectations coming here, but the scenery pleasantly surprised me. The building is very stylish, with a simple interior and a curvaceous exterior. Small details, combined with the plants in the garden, create a truly picturesque scene. There's no entrance fee, and besides visiting the museum, you can spend an entire afternoon sitting on a bench in the courtyard. There's also a unique bookstore inside, selling exquisite trinkets and books, but the prices for the small items are prohibitive.

By Qin Yun's Hut |

After the new renovation, it seems to have a lot more content. There is more than one museum inside, but the path is complicated and the directions are very poor. It is completely dependent on mobile navigation to walk around. The content is still worth visiting. The clothes are very comprehensive, both from the country and the dynasty. There is also an enlarged version of the fabric structure wall that allows you to understand the difference between silk, gauze, silk, kesi and so on. I have always wanted to look up this information online but couldn't find it. It is not recommended for shopping.

By stary |

Very good, the exhibits are well displayed, it is worth a visit

By Listener to the Wind |

Kaifeng in Henan also has silk Bian embroidery, but the one in Hangzhou is even better.

By You don't |

If you have time, it is worth a visit. The museums in each city are quite interesting.

By ALC |

I arrived here by car, and there was no tourist... The door was not open, and the security guard didn't seem to let me in...

By Dreamer-Moon |

Isn't it a shopping spot?Σ(|||▽||| )

By silently |

I believe you'll fall in love with ancient clothing after visiting the Silk Museum. Transportation is also convenient, not far from West Lake. It's not too big, so it won't take up too much time. Highly recommended.

By Father Andrewson |

The Silk Museum is at the foot of Yuhuang Mountain. You can visit it before climbing the mountain.

By A Drop in the ocean |

The Silk Museum is really average. Many uncaring tour groups take tourists here, especially to the shopping mall below the museum. It's a complete pitfall.

By Tang Jia San Shao |

A museum with great historical heritage, worth a visit

By A Thousand Miles Journey~~~HJ |

The China National Silk Museum is very beautiful! You can learn a lot.

By Chasing the Light |

The name sounds quite high-end, and there is a cultural atmosphere inside.

By coffee |

It's just too small, there's nothing special about it, but once you enter it's quite beautiful. You can stroll around, but you don't have to go there specifically.

By wl |

It's amazing. I signed up for a one-day tour. As soon as I entered, an old lady asked me to wash my hands with silk water, which would tighten my skin. Hahaha

Because I signed up for a tour, I was taken to buy a silk quilt during the visit.

By Bubble |

It's a bit far, but it's okay. If you are interested, you can go.

By 500 |

In this place, you can learn about the production of silk. There are many kinds of unearthed silk in the museum, and there are some small videos to let you know the silk manufacturing process. The museum is very quiet and is a good place to visit and rest.

By Yafu |

On the way to Baguatian, I also visited the Silk Museum, which is located just before Baguatian. It is currently the largest silk museum in the world, with a Silk Hall, a Silk Museum, a Dyeing and Weaving Hall, and a Modern Achievement Hall. For those who love silk, it is definitely worth a visit. There are many high-quality silks inside.

By mariaick |

Tickets are free, right by the West Lake, you can see various introductions about silk

By iallsmall |

The clothes inside are really beautiful, and the scenery along the way on Yuhuang Mountain is great. I ride my bike past it every day when I go back. It's quite pleasant.

By Jenna |

The museum displays various silk products, which are very colorful.

By green tea |

Appreciate the evolution of silk culture and watch the life of silkworms and the entire process of peeling cocoons, reeling silk, spinning and weaving.

By CAPTAIN |

There is nothing to see, there is no Silk Road, bad review!

By dyklhxb |

There is so little open, it's a big deal but disappointing.

By The twenty-third day of the month of Shen |

August 9, 2014: For someone like me who doesn't want to use an umbrella or wear a hat in the heat, museums are truly wonderful places. I love the rich sense of history and the exquisite objects. Of course, I couldn't miss the China National Silk Museum, located on the shores of West Lake. It's at the end of a bus route, so it's easy to find. Spend an hour or two strolling around, then walk along the hillside to the West Lake, where you'll find food. There's no food near the museum, so bring your own. For water, there are vending machines inside. You can check online beforehand to see if there are any exhibitions you might be interested in. Museums often have themed exhibitions. I don't like to check, though; I prefer to discover what I like when I go. It's a pleasant surprise.

By Jessica |

The China National Silk Museum is located on the edge of Yuhuang Mountain. The environment is very quiet and makes people feel very comfortable. The entrance of the museum is large and quite impressive, with a modern style within the traditional style. The layout of the museum is very good. There are many tourists in the hall. Each small exhibition hall is very quiet despite the large number of people. There are also small shops selling some goods. There are many tourists here. Tour buses are parked everywhere outside the door. Most of them are tour groups. This is a shopping spot that almost all Hangzhou travel agencies must visit. But the good thing is that I saw the process of reeling silk, taking cocoons, and making silk quilts. The tour guide also taught me how to identify real silk/silk, and there are also discounted real silk products for sale. It should be reliable to buy things here.

The museum's main hall tells the story of Chinese silk, focusing on its origins and development, its main varieties, the Silk Road, and the role of silk in ancient society. The exhibition clearly illustrates the entire process, from silkworms spinning silk to garments. The most striking exhibits are the 2,000-year-old silk products, still vibrantly colored, a testament to the advanced textile craftsmanship of ancient China. The looms and spinning machines used to create these beautiful garments are truly exquisite.

By World Peace |

According to the China National Silk Museum, the museum details China's 5,000-year history and culture of silk. As one of ancient China's three major foreign trade commodities, silk, along with porcelain and tea, has contributed to a significant trade surplus for the Chinese nation for two millennia.

By Ouyang Chengkun |

Tour guide Feng said you can definitely buy authentic items here. The tour guide explained the best way to tell if something is genuine: burn it. While everything here is genuine, it's ridiculously expensive, with a shirt costing just a few yuan. Are you a "Tiancan Baoyi" (a treasured silk garment) or a bulletproof vest? Losers can't afford real silk.

By Rococo in the Rye Field |

Because it was New Year's Day! The Silk Museum is a short distance from the West Lake Scenic Area, and it took half an hour to get there! What a rip-off! Such a large museum is free! Of course, there were no souvenirs to take home! There were souvenirs, but they weren't worth the price, weren't pretty, and had absolutely no memento value. The layout of the mall next door didn't make me want to buy anything. There wasn't anything special there either. But I did learn a little about silk there, and the exhibits are truly beautiful.

By benben |

Moreover, the performance items have not changed, it is still a model show. The clothes in the exhibition hall feel worse than eight years ago. The styles are very old. We walked around and had no desire to buy anything.

By Wandering around |

I live next to this museum, but it has been raining so I didn't have a chance to visit.

By Season of Wind |

I didn't go here on purpose, I just passed by it when I was taking a taxi back to the hotel and took a look before it closed. There are a lot of silk fabrics for sale, and the prices are not cheap, but I feel that there will be no fakes here.

By Time Remembers |

To the north of Yuhuang Mountain, this is where the development of Jiangnan silk is introduced: including breeding, craftsmanship, etc.

By Simple§Simple§ |

A very old museum, few people, average

By Popsicles |

A good place to learn about the origin, development and changes of silk in China.

By IDK |

To put it bluntly, it is the place where most tour groups will take you shopping.

By Little Shadow Bee |

The world's largest silk museum, where I learned how to distinguish real silk from fake, and learned a lot!

By happyleaf |

Exhibitions and introductions are secondary. It seems that their main business is to let tourists shop. They can deliver by express. The tour guide said that the silk here is the best, but I heard from the locals that they are all scammers. Good silk should be bought in the mall. I don’t know who is right or wrong. It’s better not to buy it.

By Tianlong |

A good place to understand Chinese characteristics and experience humanities and history. Worth a visit

By White and black |

There are not many tourists here, and most of them come here for an in-depth tour of Hangzhou. The environment is very quiet and nice.

By vita_yeung |

I went on a weekday, so there were very few people, almost no one. Admission was free, and there were lots of things to see. There was an embroidered dragon robe inside that was really cool.

By Angry little feather |

I have been to the Suzhou and Hangzhou museums. I think this museum is quite worth visiting. It does not require a ticket and is usually less crowded. I like places with fewer people.

By mock up |

It's a good place, worth a visit, but if you are only looking for food and fun, I don't recommend it!

By Dao Ran 99 |

The Hangzhou Silk Museum is open to the public free of charge. It was originally a state-owned silk weaving factory. It introduces the detailed process from silkworm breeding, silk making, and silk production, and there are also live silk weaving performances.

By Han's Sky |

After watching a fashion show at the museum, I bought a women's silk blouse at the designated silk shop that the tour guide took me to. It was 300 yuan in 2001, which was really expensive! I saw the clerk make eye contact with the tour guide, but I didn't understand at the time, otherwise I wouldn't have bought it.

By Xiamen Dapeng |

An important window to understand silk culture. If you come to Suzhou and Hangzhou and don’t know something about silk, it’s like you haven’t been here.

By 3 Heart overflow |

It is also within the scope of the West Lake Scenic Area. There is no ticket, but relatively speaking, the location is a bit remote. It is best to drive there. It is still good.

By Ms_Houhou |

They also sell silk, which is not expensive and of good quality. It is worth a look and a purchase. There is also a silkworm baby as soon as you enter the door.

By Yu.Yu ぃ |

It's free and very quiet. The silk is really delicate and feels really beautiful. It's the quietest place on this trip. It's also worth a visit.

By frankbest |

Hangzhou is famous for its silk. The Silk Museum showcases the origin and development of silk, the main types of silk, the Silk Road, and the position of silk in ancient social life.

By Xiao Conghua |

Because of its remote location, it is only visited by tour groups, so there are not many people. It takes two buses to get from the Silk Museum to Gushan, and taxis are not easy to get, so transportation is not convenient.

By CMY |

Hey, the group tours I went to before all took the group to this attraction. It was a bit like a shopping spot. I almost vomited when I went there. In fact, it was just selling silk and quilts. It was very expensive, but many people bought them. I don’t know if it was true. Anyway, I didn’t buy any.


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