[New Yunnan Notes] The Yunnan Provincial Museum Carves Out the Colorful South of Yunnan from Ancient Times to the Past Century

Number of days: 4 days
Time: February
Updated: 2025.04.04

[New Yunnan Notes] Yunnan Provincial Museum, Engraving the Colorful Southern Clouds from Ancient Times to the Past Century

Across from Guandu Ancient Town lies the Yunnan Provincial Museum. Having heard that reservations were required in advance, I walked straight there with a mixture of trepidation and anticipation. Surprisingly, my on-site reservation went through without a hitch, and thus began a fascinating journey of cultural exploration.

The Yunnan Provincial Grand Theater, across from the museum, is truly magnificent!

Looking up, the Yunnan Provincial Museum's architecture is strikingly distinctive. Its design draws inspiration from Yunnan's traditional "one-print" dwellings, featuring a progressive, interlocking spatial layout. Standing 39 meters tall, it comprises seven floors, shaped like a Chinese character "回." The museum's exterior walls are finished in a reddish copper color, a clever use of color that reflects Yunnan's reputation as the "Kingdom of Nonferrous Metals." The main building, with seven floors and two three-story wings, resembles a quaint pagoda, rising over 40 meters. Irregular stone edges create the ochre-red exterior, which, from a distance, bears a striking resemblance to the renowned Stone Forest of Yunnan.

The building's exterior, clad in copper-plated perforated metal panels, resembles a mysterious veil, quietly concealing the secrets of the ancient Dian Kingdom. Illuminated by sunlight, the Yunnan Provincial Museum exudes a majestic and shimmering presence, a solemn and mysterious cultural sanctuary that exudes an irresistible charm.

I followed the queue and entered. Upon entering, I was instantly captivated by the unique design. The spacious and bright hall, where ancient and modern elements intertwine and complement each other, creates a magical illusion of time travel. The museum boasts an extremely rich collection, featuring porcelain, brocade, sculpture, historical documents, and other precious artifacts. Each piece carries a profound historical and cultural heritage, telling stories of the past. The museum features six meticulously curated exhibits: "Ancient Yunnan - Yunnan in Prehistory," "Light of Civilization - Yunnan in the Bronze Age," "Dominant in South Central China - Yunnan from the Eastern Han Dynasty to the Wei and Jin Dynasties," "A Land of Wonderful Fragrance - Yunnan in the Tang and Song Dynasties," "Opening Up Frontiers - Yunnan in the Yuan, Ming and Qing Dynasties," and "A Century of Storms - Yunnan in the Modern and Contemporary Period." These exhibits follow the historical trajectory, from ancient civilization to Yunnan's peaceful liberation. Guided by precious cultural relics, they comprehensively, systematically, and vividly showcase the glorious history and splendid civilization created by Yunnan's people of all ethnic groups on this red soil plateau. The museum's exhibitions are unique and captivating. Each exhibit is a vivid storyteller, presenting Yunnan's rich history and diverse culture in a unique and captivating way. Following the exhibition route, I journeyed through the themed areas, feeling as if I had truly journeyed through different historical periods and witnessed the transformations of history firsthand. The display of artifacts not only reflects the continuity of historical development but also showcases the interplay and interaction of cultures. It immerses visitors in the experience, making them feel not just an ordinary tourist but a witness to history, engaging in a dialogue across time and space with the ancients. The introductory hall offers a highly condensed and comprehensive overview of Yunnan's landscapes, natural resources, ethnic customs, and cultural history. Through its ingenious design and presentation, visitors quickly form a profound and unique impression of Yunnan, like a key to unlocking the door to its history and culture. The "Ancient Yunnan" exhibition, centered around significant geological discoveries and sites, showcases Yunnan's global significance in prehistory, as well as the diverse production, life, religion, art, and culture of people across different regions and ethnic backgrounds. Divided into four sections: The Explosion of Life, The World of Dinosaurs, From Ape to Man, and the Neolithic Age, the exhibition comprehensively explores Yunnan's world-renowned ancient biology and geology, the origins of humanity, and the reasons for its diverse ethnic landscape.

The exhibition "Dominant in South Central China: Yunnan from the Eastern Han Dynasty to the Early Tang Dynasty" is divided into four sections: the migration of Han people to the south, prominent surnames in South Central China, the tomb of Huo Chengsi, and the decline of prominent surnames. Focusing on the cultural exchange between Han and Yi peoples, the exhibition vividly showcases how Yunnan, located in the southwestern border of China, has maintained close ties with the Central Plains since ancient times through a selection of iconic artifacts and historical sites.

Yunnan has always played an important role in the historical junctures of profound changes in modern Chinese society, and has repeatedly demonstrated remarkable brilliance. The Double Ninth Uprising during the Xinhai Revolution laid a solid foundation for the democratic revolution in Yunnan. In 1915, the National Protection Uprising, opposing Yuan Shikai's restoration of the monarchy, first broke out in Yunnan, making it once again a core battlefield for the democratic revolution. During the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, Yunnan transitioned from a rear area to a frontline, fighting the first battle of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, transitioning from a strategic defensive to a strategic counteroffensive. The December 1st Patriotic Democratic Movement propelled Yunnan onto the bright path of striving for democracy and peace. This series of significant events, recorded in history, has made Yunnan one of the key birthplaces of anti-imperialism, anti-feudalism, and the struggle for democracy and peace in modern Chinese history. The Yunnan Provincial Museum boasts not only a wealth of exhibits and fascinating displays, but also fully utilizes modern technology to provide visitors with a richer and more in-depth visitor experience. From restored dinosaurs showcasing the mysterious world of ancient Yunnan, to the glorious history of the ancient Dian Kingdom, to the vicissitudes of modern times, from the unique and diverse religious culture to the exquisite and elegant exhibition of ancient ceramics, each exhibition area incorporates various interactive elements, allowing visitors to more directly experience the charm of history and culture. Furthermore, the museum has invested significant resources in creating realistic historical reconstructions, allowing visitors to travel through time and experience the social landscape of different historical periods. This fully demonstrates the Yunnan Provincial Museum's rigorous approach and professionalism in exhibition planning and presentation. It's just that I didn't have enough time to experience the high-tech applications within the museum.

The dinosaur display area is undoubtedly a highlight of the Yunnan Provincial Museum, serving as the central showcase for various audio-visual technologies in the new building. Within this area, over a dozen lifelike Lufengosaurs of various sizes, as well as pterosaurs, triceratops, Protoceratops, and various carnivorous dinosaurs, are neatly arranged. Standing tall or baring their teeth and claws, they transport us back to the ancient age of dinosaurs. Against the backdrop of an artificial jungle, visitors can use cameras to immerse themselves in the jungle, have a close encounter with the dinosaurs, and take photos together. This unique interactive experience is unforgettable.

The museum is spacious and bright, with clever lighting arrangements, creating a rich atmosphere through a play of light and dark. The entire exhibition is organized along a clear chronological path. Simply following the signage, visitors can easily journey through Yunnan's long history and appreciate the rich cultural heritage and profound historical heritage of this land.

Treasures from the Yunnan Museum's Collection

Ox-Tiger Bronze Table

The Warring States Ox-Tiger Bronze Table is a masterpiece of Yunnan bronze art and a treasure of the Yunnan Provincial Museum. It was unearthed from Tomb 24, the largest and most abundant tomb in the Lijiashan Tombs of Jiangchuan. The main body of the vessel features a large, standing ox, its horns rising, its back naturally descending to form a table. A scaled-down tiger, depicted climbing and clutching the ox's tail, adorns its tail. The ox's hollow belly houses a standing calf, which is embellished horizontally. The ox and tiger were cast in a single mold, while the calf was cast separately and then welded to the ox's belly. As a Dian Kingdom sacrificial vessel, the ox-tiger bronze table achieves exceptional mechanical and aesthetic perfection, achieving near-perfection.

Bronze vessel in the shape of a drum depicting a battle scene

This bronze vessel, in the shape of a drum, is from the Dian Kingdom of the Western Han Dynasty. It stands 53.9 cm tall, with a lid 33 cm in diameter. The vessel consists of two drums stacked on top of each other, welded together with copper. It has a base and a lid, housing shells. The two drums are decorated with identical patterns. The torso is each adorned with six groups of winged figures and wooden boats. The waist is adorned with oxen and dancing figures. The feet and torso are engraved with bands of triangular teeth and concentric vortex patterns. The lid depicts a battle scene with twenty-two figures and five horses. A large knight, presumably the commander, stands in the center of the lid. The figure, wearing a helmet and armor, holds a spear in his right hand, poised to strike downward. The shell storage vessel depicts infantry coordinating with cavalry, depicting the entire course of a battle. The battlefield features both offensive and defensive weapons, combining cavalry and infantry combat, and both close-range and long-range weaponry, making it a valuable resource for studying ancient warfare.

Western Han Dynasty Gilded Bronze Shell Storage Vessel with Four Oxen and Horsemen: A bronze vessel from the Dian Kingdom during the Western Han Dynasty, unearthed in Shizhaishan, Jinning, Yunnan in 1955. It is 50 cm tall and has a lid diameter of 25.3 cm, showcasing the mysterious sacrificial culture of the ancient Dian Kingdom.

A Standing Statue of Avalokitesvara with Silver Backlight, Dali Kingdom Period: Unearthed in 1978 from the main pagoda of Chongsheng Temple in Dali, this statue is crafted from pure gold, stands 29.5 cm tall, and weighs 1,135 grams. It showcases the superb casting craftsmanship and rich local characteristics of the Dali Kingdom during the Song Dynasty.

Guo Xi's "Traveling in Mountains and Streams" (Scroll), Song Dynasty: A renowned Song Dynasty landscape painting, showcasing Guo Xi's unique artistic style.

Huang Gongwang's "Visiting Dai at Shanxi" (Scroll), Yuan Dynasty: A renowned Yuan Dynasty landscape painting, showcasing Huang Gongwang's unique artistic style.

A Ming Dynasty Inlaid Gold Crown: A Ming Dynasty imperial gold crown inlaid with gems, highly collectible.

Qing Dynasty Kangxi Blue and White Figure Phoenix Tail Zun: A blue and white porcelain from the Kangxi period of the Qing Dynasty, this piece of porcelain possesses extremely high artistic value.

These treasures not only showcase Yunnan's rich historical and cultural heritage, but also reflect Yunnan's important position in ancient Chinese culture. Anyway, I was forgetting everything I saw; it's so profound!

Wandering through the Yunnan Provincial Museum is like opening a thick book of time, each page engraved with Yunnan's rich and diverse historical and cultural memories. It's not only a visual feast, but also a touching cultural journey. Here, I truly felt the warmth and antiquity of this land, as if I were engaging in an intimate dialogue with history. The Yunnan Provincial Museum is like a gateway to the past, allowing us to turn the pages of history, page by page, explore the infinite charm of this picturesque southern Yunnan, and experience stories and emotions that have been forgotten for ages.