Hangzhou to turn palace remains into museum

December 31 08:51 2020

Hangzhou, capital of East China’s Zhejiang province, will turn the remains of Deshou Palace, where two retired emperors once lived during the Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1279), into the Southern Song Museum.

Construction on the museum began on Dec 28, and the project is expected to be completed and begin operating in 2022.

The museum is expected to provide an immersive and interactive experience by allowing visitors to pass through historical remains, landscapes and virtual scenes.

Shangcheng district in China Hangzhou was the center of the royal palace of the Southern Song Dynasty, which is considered a golden era in Chinese history due to its advanced economy, culture and science.

More than 10 historical remains from the Southern Song Dynasty have been unearthed in Shangcheng, more than any other place in China.

Deshou Palace accommodated emperors Gaozong and Xiaozong and their wives after they retired form their thrones.

Since 2001, the Hangzhou archaeology authorities have conducted four excavations and finally decided the address of the palace, which will cover an area of 170,000 square meters.

Lying to the south of West Lake, Southern Song Dynasty Guan Kiln Museum is built over the remains of Jiaotanxia Official Kiln and is the first of its kind with pottery and porcelain as its subject.

China is a country with a rich tradition of pottery and porcelain. The history of pottery can be traced back through 8,000 years, while porcelain in the country has a history over 2,000 years. During the Song Dynasty (960-1279), this culture came to a climax. A variety of chinaware appeared. Particularly representative of that time are the products of the official kiln (Guan Yao in Chinese). Guan Yao produces high-class chinaware for royalty – either for daily use or decoration. It is recorded that there were two official kilns in the Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1279): Jiaotanxia Guanyao and Xiuneisi Guanyao.

The Southern Song Dynasty Guan Kiln Museum has a floor area of 15,000 square meters (3.7 acres); the building area is 4,364 square meters (1.1 acres). It  was opened to public in 1992 and was extended in 2002. Now the museum displays the products of the official kilns of Southern Song Dynasty, highlighting their charm and delicate beauty. It has been praised as the Civilized Museum of Zhejiang Province and the first group of Provincial Education Base of Patriotism.

Media Contact
Company Name: The Information Office of Hangzhou Municipal Government
Contact Person: Cai Jingwen
Email: Send Email
Phone: 0510-68559077
Country: China
Website: http://www.ehangzhou.gov.cn/

view more articles

About Article Author