A pair of antique lanterns, each featuring a goose holding a fish in its mouth, are on display at the Jiangxi Provincial Museum in Nanchang.
Jiangxi Provincial Museum
Each region in China has a museum to display the region's heritage and history. It is really interesting to visit these museums because they house the best treasures of each region.
The Jiangxi Provincial Museum is no exception as it houses more than 100,000 relics.
Here you can find the treasures of Liu He. Also known as the "Marquis of Haihun," he was the grandson of Emperor Wu of the Western Han Dynasty,
The discovery of his tomb in 2015 made headlines around the world. A large number of gold and jade pieces, in addition to musical instruments, cauldrons and weapons, were found in the tomb, with most treasures in excellent condition.
One of the largest and best preserved tomb complexes ever found, it numbers among of the great discoveries of the 21st century.
The museum itself is quite -complete and has explanations in English. You can explore all of Chinese history from its very beginnings.
For those who enjoy museums and archaeological relics (like myself), you will find several breathtaking relics.
We should remember that Nanchang was part of the ancient Silk Road and that during the Tang -Dynasty, the Gan River was the hub of transportation from Beijing, so goods arrived from all over China, which was also great for cultural exchanges.
Porcelain museums
Although Nanchang is not the historical epicenter for porcelain, it has a Museum of Research and Development of Porcelain that has many impressive works.
Porcelain was "baptized" with this name by Marco Polo in the 13th century.
During the Song (960-1279) and Yuan (1279-1368) dynasties, Jiangxi's porcelain industry reached its peak. Major kilns could be found all across the province.
Brilliant white vases and dishes with blue decorations mostly came from the porcelain capital of Jingdezhen, but the province also had other famous kilns like the Jizhou, Qilizhen and Baishe kilns.
In the Museum of Porcelain Painting, you will have the opportunity to contemplate works of many different styles. There are some really great examples that show the true art of porcelain painting.
Red tourism
Moving away from the imperial past of Nanchang, there is another facet of the city: red tourism.
Although the signs and introductions are mostly written in Chinese, the August 1st Nanchang Uprising Memorial Museum is worth a visit if you are in Nanchang. It is not far from the Jiangxi Provincial Museum.
This museum has two sections, one old and one new. The old section was the original location of the Jiangxi Grand Hotel.
Built between 1922 and 1924, it was the most luxurious place in Nanchang.
The early founders of the Communist Party of China (CPC) chose this place as their headquarters as a form of disguise: By choosing such an ostentatious place, they wouldn't attract attention.
The Nanchang Uprising was planned within the walls of this hotel.- It was led by Zhou Enlai and He Long - two important figures of the CPC - on August 1, 1927.
The event, during which the CPC decided to end its -alliance with the -Kuomintang, became the origin of the People's -Liberation Army and China's Army Day.
Nanchang Bayi Square
Nanchang Bayi Square is perfect for finishing the day, ideally around 8 pm, when locals gather to dance and play sports and games.
It is perhaps one of the best places to meet the citizens of Nanchang and do some shopping.
For those looking to journey through Jiangxi Province, Nanchang is a window to understanding the important legacy of this area within the history of China.
In the city, you will find beautiful places and sanctuaries of nature that complement the cultural experience.
