Chengdu Museum New Building

Located at No.1 Xiaohe Street, Qingyang District (青羊区小河街1号) beside Tianfu Square (天府广场), the Chengdu Museum New Building (成都博物馆新馆) is the largest comprehensive urban museum in Southwest China and a core landmark for Chengdu cultural tourism.

Opened in June 2016, it replaced the old museum and was upgraded into a national first-class museum with dual identity as the China Shadow Puppet Museum (中国皮影博物馆). The building follows a “gold-inlaid jade” architectural design, combining golden metal panels and glass curtain walls, symbolizing ancient Shu civilization’s gold and jade culture.

The structure has 9 floors (5 above ground and 4 underground), covering 65,000㎡ with 20,000㎡ exhibition space. Its collection includes nearly 300,000 cultural relics spanning 4,500 years, covering Baodun ancient Shu civilization, Qin–Han stone carvings, Tang gold artifacts, Ming princely treasures, Sichuan folk culture, and modern Chengdu history.

Core Permanent Exhibitions

Splendid Chengdu Civilization (花重锦官城) – Floors 2/3/4

This is the main exhibition series covering Chengdu’s full historical evolution from ancient Shu civilization to modern times. It is the most important cultural route inside the museum, displaying national treasures and urban development history.

Shadow Puppetry & Folk Arts (影舞万象・偶戏大千) – Floor 5

The largest permanent shadow puppet museum in China, showcasing multiple regional styles including Sichuan, Shaanxi, Hebei, and Jiangnan. It highlights traditional Chinese intangible cultural heritage with live performances and interactive displays.

Natural World Exhibition (人与自然) – B1 Floor

A large ecological exhibition donated by the Behring Foundation, displaying global wildlife taxidermy. It is designed for family travel in Chengdu, combining education and visual experience.

Panoramic Viewing Corridor – Floor 6

A free glass observation deck offering a full view of Tianfu Square (天府广场) and Chengdu city center skyline. No exhibitions, only sightseeing and rest area.

Floor-by-Floor Exhibition Guide (Highlights & Key Treasures)

B1 Floor – Natural World Exhibition

Features over 300 wildlife specimens from Africa, Eurasia, and the Americas in immersive ecological environments. Includes giraffes, lions, antelopes, and interactive science displays. Low crowd density makes it ideal for photography and family visits.

1F – Service Hall & Temporary Exhibitions

Facilities include free luggage storage, information desk, audio guide rental, drinking water, and mother-baby rooms. Temporary exhibitions rotate regularly (calligraphy, Silk Road art, international exhibitions), with optional entry fees of 50–60 RMB.

2F – Ancient Shu Civilization (Core National Treasure Floor)

This is the most important floor and the highlight of the entire museum.

Key exhibits:

• Tianfu Stone Rhinoceros (天府石犀) – 8.5-ton ritual water guardian linked to ancient irrigation culture
• Western Han acupuncture figurine – earliest complete Chinese medical body model with 117 meridians
• Eastern Han “Drumming and Singing Figurine” – iconic Han dynasty folk art masterpiece
• Bronze ritual weapons and vessels – proof of ancient Shu silk civilization
• Han brick carvings showing salt wells and wine shops

3F – Sui, Tang, Song, Ming & Qing Dynasties

Highlights include:

• Tang gilded hollow floral incense ball with stable gyroscopic structure
• Ming Shu Prince Crown (蜀王世子金冠) inlaid with gemstones
• Shu brocade textiles, celadon, Ding kiln porcelain
• Restored city models of Tang Yizhou and Song Chengdu

4F – Modern History & Sichuan Folk Culture

This floor presents Chengdu from Ming and Qing to modern times, including commercial history, war period archives, and cultural evolution.

The folk section recreates old Chengdu tea houses, traditional courtyards, markets, and wedding rooms. It is highly atmospheric and ideal for Hanfu photography and cultural immersion experiences.

5F – China Shadow Puppetry Museum

Displays shadow puppets and wooden figures from across China, with Sichuan large-scale Qing dynasty shadow puppets as the highlight.

Features include live shadow puppet performances, traditional stage props, and puppet-making displays. Strong cultural atmosphere with rich souvenir shops.

6F – Observation Corridor

A full glass viewing platform overlooking Tianfu Square (天府广场) and Chengdu skyline. Serves as a rest and photography stop during the visit.

Complete National Treasure List

• Qin–Han Tianfu Stone Rhinoceros (天府石犀)
• Western Han acupuncture figurine
• Eastern Han drumming figurine
• Tang gilded hollow floral incense ball
• Ming Shu Prince jeweled crown
• Bronze ritual weapons and vessels (Warring States period)
• Western Han Tianhui medical bamboo slips
• Song Ding kiln porcelain pillow
• Qing giant Sichuan shadow puppet
• Southern Dynasty smiling Maitreya stone carving

Tickets, Reservation & Opening Hours (2026 Update)

Ticket Policy

• Permanent exhibitions: Free entry
• Temporary exhibitions: Optional paid entry (only 1F)
• All visitors require real-name reservation, including children and seniors

Reservation Method

Book via official WeChat account: “Chengdu Museum (成都博物馆)” → Visitor Reservation

• Tickets released daily at 19:00
• Booking window: 14 days ahead
• Weekends and holidays often fully booked

Entry requires ID or passport scanning. Paper tickets available at service desk if needed.

Opening Hours

• Tuesday–Thursday & Sunday: 09:00–17:00 (last entry 16:30)
• Friday–Saturday: 09:00–20:30 (night session available)
• Closed on Mondays and major holidays

Transportation Guide

Metro (Best Option)

Take Metro Line 1 or Line 2 to Tianfu Square Station (天府广场站), exit West 1 North or West 1 South, then walk 3 minutes.

Bus Routes

Lines 13, 30, 43, 47, 64, 78 → get off at Xiyujie Station (西御街站), then 5-minute walk.

Nearby Walking Attractions

• Chunxi Road (春熙路) – 10 minutes
• People’s Park (人民公园) – 15 minutes
• Kuanzhai Alley (宽窄巷子) – 15 minutes
• Taikoo Li (太古里) – nightlife district nearby

Two Recommended Visiting Routes

Route 1 – Deep Cultural Route (3–3.5 Hours)

Entrance → B1 wildlife → 2F national treasures → 3F dynasties → 4F folk culture → 5F shadow puppets → 6F skyline view → exit via gift shop

Route 2 – Family Relax Route (2.5 Hours)

Entrance → B1 animals → 2F history core → 5F puppetry → 4F folk street → rest at 6F viewing corridor

Practical Visitor Tips

Guided services:

• Free audio guide via WeChat
• Paid professional tour guide
• Volunteer explanations during peak seasons
• Optional AR glasses rental (3D ancient Shu reconstruction experience)

Photography rules:

• No flash allowed
• No tripods or selfie sticks
• No video recording in shadow puppet hall
• No touching artifacts or glass display cases

Facilities:

• Café on 6F
• Cultural shop on 1F (shadow puppet & figurine souvenirs)
• Free drinking water
• Luggage storage lockers
• Mother-baby rooms

Best visiting time:

• Weekday mornings (least crowded)
• Friday–Saturday after 18:00 (quiet night session)

Dress recommendation:

• Indoor temperature ~22°C, light jacket recommended
• 4F folk area ideal for Hanfu and retro photography

Avoid mistakes:

• Closed every Monday
• Must book at least 3 days in advance during holidays
• Do not skip 2F (main national treasure floor)
• Night entry closes at 20:00 sharp

One-Day Chengdu City Route (Museum + City Walk)

Morning: Chengdu Museum New Building (成都博物馆新馆) – 3 hours
Lunch: Tianfu Square / Chunxi Road Sichuan hotpot or local cuisine
Afternoon: Kuanzhai Alley (宽窄巷子) + People’s Park tea & ear cleaning experience
Evening: Taikoo Li (太古里) night walk + Chengdu skyline lights viewing