Marquis Yi's bells
2,400 years old.
Gary Todd from Xinzheng, China — CC0 · The original uploader was Zzjgbc at Chinese Wikipedia. — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Gary Todd from Xinzheng, China — CC0 · Siyuwj — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Gary Todd from Xinzheng, China — CC0 · Wmpearl — CC0 · Siyuwj — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Liuxingy — CC BY-SA 4.0
One of China's most important museums, founded in 1953 near the west shore of East Lake; its collections hold more than 460,000 objects, the most famous being treasures of the ancient state of Chu, which flourished in this region more than two thousand years ago. Its star exhibit is the set of bronze bells of Marquis Yi of Zeng, among the greatest ancient musical instruments in the world, found in a tomb of the fifth century BC; the bells still sound their precise notes, and exact replicas are played in music performances. Other treasures include the bronze Sword of Goujian, still sharp and gleaming after more than two thousand years, the contents of the marquis's tomb, with massive bronze vessels, jade and lacquered wood, and ancient inscribed bamboo slips. Entry is free with a real-name booking up to five days ahead; it opens Tuesday to Sunday from 9:00 to 17:00, last entry 16:00, and closes on Mondays, per visitor guides. Bring your passport for entry.
2,400 years old.
Still gleaming.
Bronze and jade.
160 Donghu Road, by East Lake, Wuchang District, Wuhan
Entry is free with a real-name booking through the museum's official account up to five days ahead, and it closes on Mondays, per visitor guides.
