This museum, built along the steep slope of Xianggang hill, is
centered on the underground tomb of Zhao Mei, known as the Nanyue
King. Zhao Mei was the second ruler of the short-lived southern Yue
Kingdom (c. 2nd century BC) and was the grandson of the general
Zhao Tuo from the Qin Dynasty who temporarily unified the region.
Zhao Mei titled himself Emperor Wen and had his capital at Panyu,
now a southern district of modern Guangzhou.
The tomb caused great excitement when it was found in 1983, hidden
about 20 meters within a hill on one side of YueXiu Park. Searched
for since at least 1800 years ago for its riches, this lost tomb
had finally been unearthed. Built from about 750 large stone slabs,
its complex design imitates the design of Zhao Mei's palace,
allowing for several smaller chambers and two main halls. At more
than 2,000 years old, it is the oldest mastaba (flat-topped tomb)
in the entire Lingnan area, which historically included Guangdong
and parts of nearby provinces.
Among the antiques found in the Tomb of the Nanyue King, jade-work
is one of the most important. There are jades for ceremonies,
funerals, decorations and practical usage in more than 200
varieties. They are the first collection of jades from the tombs of
the Han Dynasty which are large in number, plentiful in variety and
well preserved. Besides these, the museum also displays dozens of
styles of pottery pillows and porcelain pillows from the Tang
Dynasty, Yuan Dynasty and the Ming Dynasty. This amazing museum
collection also includes a great many ancient kilns.
The layout of the modern museum combines two exhibition buildings
with the ancient tomb while maintaining an emphasis of the dignity
and centrality of the well-preserved tomb. The museum not only
displays these antiques in the long term but also often holds
temporary exhibitions to present the development of human
civilization from different regions. Today, the Museum of the
Nanyue King has become an important educational place to learn the
history of Guangzhou.
The studio in the comprehensive exhibition building shows videos on
the excavation of the tomb for free (available in Mandarin,
Cantonese, Minnan Language, English, French, German, Japanese and
Spanish). Travelers can obtain some relevant materials about the
Museum for free in the museum's hall.
Travelers can take buses No. 7, 24, 58, 87, 244, 273, 182, 519,
528, and 552 and so on, or take trolleys No. 103, 105, 108, 109,
and 110 and get off at Yuexiu Park or Panfu Road bus station which
is about 300 meters away from the front gate of the museum.How to Get to there?
