Henan Museum (河南博物馆)
One of China's great museums with ancient bronzes, musical instruments, and 5,000 years of Chinese civilization artifacts.
Duration
2-3 hours
Cost
Free (reservation required)
Hours
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM (closed Monday)
Booking
Advance booking required
Henan Museum (河南博物馆) is one of China's oldest and most important museums, housing over 170,000 artifacts that trace 5,000 years of Chinese civilization in the Yellow River valley.
Highlights
Ancient bronzes — Henan's bronze collection is among the world's finest, including the massive Simuwu Ding (司母戊鼎), the largest ancient bronze vessel ever found.
Musical instruments — The Bianzhong of Marquis Yi (曾侯乙编钟-style bells) and other ancient instruments, some still playable.
Jade and pottery — Neolithic jade carvings and Han Dynasty pottery figures rival those in Xi'an's museums.
Temporary exhibitions — The museum regularly hosts touring exhibitions from other major Chinese museums.
Practical Info
- Free entry, but reservation required (book online 1-7 days ahead)
- Closed Mondays
- Guided tours available in Chinese; English audio guides ¥20 ($3)
- Metro Line 2 to Henan Museum station
Practical tips
- Book free tickets online in advance — they run out fast. The ancient bronze music instruments are the highlight. Arrive at opening for smallest crowds.