Chengdu Museum

Located in the heart of Chengdu, Chengdu Museum (成都博物馆) is one of the largest and most important urban cultural landmarks in Southwest China, positioned directly beside Tianfu Square (天府广场). It is a flagship destination for Chengdu cultural tourism, combining archaeology, history, folk culture, and art exhibitions under one modern complex.

The museum’s modern building, opened in 2016, was designed with the symbolic “gold-inlaid jade” concept reflecting ancient Shu civilization aesthetics. The structure rises 9 levels (5 above ground and 4 underground) with a total construction area of about 65,000㎡ and exhibition space of 20,000㎡, making it a key landmark in Chengdu city sightseeing tours.

Its collection exceeds 300,000 items, spanning from Neolithic relics to modern artifacts, including Shu bronze culture, Han dynasty medical heritage, Tang–Song ceramics, folk art, and the largest shadow puppet collection in China, making it a core destination for Sichuan historical exploration.

Museum Highlights & Main Exhibition Halls

Historical Core Exhibition – “Splendid Chengdu Civilization”

This is the central permanent exhibition presenting the complete evolution of Chengdu over 4,500 years. It is divided into ancient, medieval, and modern sections, systematically showcasing the development of the city from Shu civilization origins to contemporary urban culture.

Key highlights include reconstructed ancient Chengdu streets, bronze ritual systems of the Shu Kingdom, Han dynasty daily life scenes, and folk traditions that shaped Sichuan identity. This hall is considered the most comprehensive introduction to Chengdu ancient history and cultural heritage.

Shadow Puppetry & Folk Arts Exhibition

This section focuses on China’s intangible cultural heritage, with one of the country’s most complete shadow puppet collections. It gathers regional styles from Sichuan, Shaanxi, Hebei, and Jiangnan, highlighting the artistic diversity of traditional performance culture.

Visitors can observe detailed puppet craftsmanship, historical stage props, and scheduled live shadow puppet shows. The rooftop corridor above this floor provides a panoramic view of Tianfu Square (天府广场) and central Chengdu skyline, making it a popular stop for photography and cultural immersion.

Natural History Exhibition (B1 Floor)

The B1 exhibition is a large-scale ecological and wildlife hall donated by the Behring Foundation, designed for educational and family-friendly visits. It features lifelike taxidermy displays from Africa, the Americas, and Eurasia, arranged in immersive natural habitat scenes.

The open layout and interactive screens allow visitors to understand global biodiversity and environmental protection concepts, making it one of the most relaxed and visually engaging zones inside the museum, especially for family travel in Chengdu.

Floor-by-Floor Visitor Guide

B1 Floor – Natural World Exhibition

This underground hall presents a global wildlife journey featuring savanna ecosystems, forest environments, and predator-prey displays. It includes giraffes, lions, antelopes, and rare species arranged in realistic ecological settings, offering strong visual impact and educational depth.

1F – Visitor Services & Temporary Exhibitions

The entrance level functions as a service and cultural transition space, offering luggage storage, information desk, guided tour booking, and cultural souvenir shopping. Temporary exhibitions rotate regularly, covering themes such as Silk Road art, calligraphy, and international cultural exchanges, making each visit different depending on the season.

2F – Ancient Shu Civilization (Key National Treasures)

This is the most important exhibition level in Chengdu Museum (成都博物馆) and the absolute highlight of the entire visit.

Major national treasures include:

• Tianfu Stone Rhinoceros (天府石犀) – massive water-control symbol linked to ancient Dujiangyan irrigation culture
• Western Han acupuncture figurine with 117 meridian points
• Eastern Han “Drumming and Singing Figurine,” representing everyday life entertainment culture
• Bronze ritual vessels reflecting Shu Kingdom mythology and silk civilization

This floor is essential for understanding ancient Sichuan civilization and early Chinese science history.

3F – Tang to Ming & Qing Dynasties

This floor highlights Chengdu’s development during imperial China, focusing on cultural prosperity and craftsmanship evolution.

Exhibits include:

• Gilded Tang dynasty hollow incense sphere with precision mechanical structure
• Ming dynasty royal crown embedded with precious stones
• Shu brocade textiles showcasing high-level weaving techniques
• Song dynasty ceramics and Buddhist sculptures representing religious influence

The layout reflects the transition from political power to artistic refinement in Sichuan historical development.

4F – Modern History & Chengdu Folk Culture

This immersive exhibition recreates old Chengdu life from the Ming and Qing periods to modern times. It includes reconstructed teahouses, traditional markets, wedding rooms, and Sichuan courtyard houses.

The atmosphere is highly cinematic, making it one of the best locations for cultural photography and immersive storytelling of old Chengdu lifestyle and urban evolution.

5F – Shadow Puppetry Museum & Observation Deck

This floor is dedicated to Chinese shadow puppetry and traditional performance arts, showcasing national collections and live demonstration stages.

Key features include Sichuan opera puppet performances, mechanical shadow play displays, and historical storytelling systems. The rooftop observation corridor provides a wide-angle view of Tianfu Square (天府广场) and Chengdu city center, making it a premium free skyline viewpoint.

National Treasures of Chengdu Museum

Tickets, Reservation & Opening Hours (2026 Update)

Ticket Policy

The permanent exhibitions of Chengdu Museum (成都博物馆) are fully free of charge, making it one of the most accessible national-level museums in China. Only selected temporary exhibitions on the first floor require optional paid tickets depending on theme and duration.

All visitors must complete real-name reservation before entry, including children and seniors, as walk-in access is not available during peak seasons.

Reservation Guide

Reservations are handled through the official Chengdu Museum WeChat platform.

Tickets are released daily at 19:00 with a 14-day booking window. Weekend and holiday slots usually fill quickly due to high demand from domestic and international travelers.

Entry is completed by scanning passport or ID at the entrance gates. Printed vouchers are available at the service desk if needed.

Opening Hours

• Tuesday–Thursday & Sunday: 09:00–17:00 (last entry 16:30)
• Friday–Saturday: 09:00–20:30 (extended night opening experience)
• Closed on Mondays and selected national holidays

Transportation Guide

Metro (Recommended)

Take Metro Line 1 or Line 2 to Tianfu Square Station (天府广场站), exit from West 1 North or West 1 South, and walk approximately 3 minutes to the museum entrance. This is the most efficient option for Chengdu urban sightseeing travel.

Bus Routes

Main bus lines include 13, 30, 43, 47, 64, and 78. Get off at Xiyujie Station (西御街站), then walk about 5 minutes to reach the museum.

Nearby Attractions (Walking Distance)

Within a short walking radius, visitors can easily connect:

• Chunxi Road (春熙路) – major shopping district
• Kuanzhai Alley (宽窄巷子) – traditional cultural street
• People’s Park (人民公园) – tea culture and relaxation zone

Recommended Visiting Routes

Route A – Cultural Deep Exploration (3 Hours)

Entrance → 2F Ancient Shu Civilization → 3F Dynasties → 4F Folk Culture → 5F Shadow Puppets → B1 Wildlife Hall → Exit via cultural shop. This route covers the full historical timeline and is ideal for first-time Chengdu visitors.

Route B – Relaxed Family Route

B1 Wildlife Hall → 2F Core History Gallery → 5F Shadow Puppets → 4F Folk Culture → café break. This route is designed for leisure pacing and family-friendly exploration.

Visitor Tips

• Photography allowed without flash; professional equipment restricted
• Tripods and selfie sticks not permitted inside exhibition halls
• Touching artifacts is strictly prohibited
• Video recording is not allowed in shadow puppet galleries

Best visiting time:

• Weekday mornings for minimal crowds
• Friday–Saturday evenings for quieter exhibitions after peak hours

Dress recommendation:

• Indoor temperature remains stable around 22°C, light jacket recommended
• 4F folk culture area is ideal for traditional Chinese costume photography

Avoid common mistakes:

• Closed on Mondays
• Peak holiday booking must be done in advance (3–7 days recommended)
• Do not skip 2F, as it contains the most valuable national treasures

One-Day Chengdu Cultural Route

Morning: Chengdu Museum (成都博物馆) exploration
Lunch: Tianfu Square (天府广场) or Chunxi Road Sichuan cuisine experience
Afternoon: Kuanzhai Alley (宽窄巷子) + People’s Park tea culture immersion
Evening: Taikoo Li (太古里) nightlife walk + Jinli Ancient Street (锦里古街) illumination tour