The Exhibition of the Yangtze River and the Chinese Civilization, part of the main city events of the 2025 Cultural and Natural Heritage Day, opened at the Changsha Museum on June 14. More than 200 sets of precious cultural relics from 51 cultural institutions are on display. The exhibition will last till October 12.

The exhibition takes the Yangtze River as a stage and cultural relics as the actors, with the evolution of civilization as its central theme, constructing a spatiotemporal connection between geography and history, offering a panoramic display of the Yangtze River's pivotal role in the progress of Chinese civilization. Through vivid presentation, the exhibition highlights five prominent features regarding Chinese civilization -- consistency, originality, uniformity, inclusivity, and peaceful nature.

The exhibition features three major parts: "Vitality - Stardust," "Convergence - Radiance," and "Majesty - Splendor."

The "Vitality - Stardust" area traces back across millions of years of time and space—from the relics of ancient humans to the echoes of farming and weaving, and to the prelude of five thousand years of civilization. The portion reveals how the Yangtze and Yellow rivers stood side by side as twin cradles, jointly nurturing the roots of Chinese civilization.

The "Convergence - Radiance" section chronicles the Yangtze River's contributions to nourishing and vitalizing the Chinese civilization through material innovations, institutional frameworks, and shared intellectual traditions.

The "Majesty - Splendor" section showcases cultural treasures such as Yuelu Academy, Jiangnan textile craftsmanship, and the imperial examination system, as well as operas and paintings. These exhibits illuminate the evolution and integration of civilization in the Yangtze River Basin from the Song and Yuan dynasties onward.

The exhibition is jointly hosted by the National Cultural Heritage Administration and the People's Government of Hunan Province, and is organized by the Hunan Provincial Cultural Heritage Bureau and the People's Government of Changsha City. The Changsha Municipal Bureau of Culture, Tourism, Radio, and Television, along with the Changsha Museum, is responsible for the planning and execution of the exhibition.

During the exhibition, the Changsha Museum will launch a series of special activities, including "Ever-flowing Yangtze: Fun Summer Adventure," a themed garden party; "Yangtze River and Chinese Civilization," academic lectures; and the Yangtze River-themed intangible cultural heritage hands-on experience. These programs aim to provide visitors with diverse cultural experiences and a multi-dimensional interpretation of the profound connection between the Yangtze River and Chinese civilization.

Tips:

Exhibition of the Yangtze River and the Chinese Civilization
Duration: Jun. 14 – Oct. 12, 2025
Venue: Special Exhibition Hall 1, Changsha Museum
Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday (closed every Monday)
09:00-17:00 (last entry at 16:30)

This article is from the Hunan Provincial Government www.enghunan.gov.cn.

Translator: Xiao Juan

Chinese source: Xinhua