Half-Day Tour of Shouxian Chu Culture Museum

Anhui Chu Culture Museum is the only museum in the country named after Chu culture. It is located in Shouxian, Huai'an City, Anhui Province, where it harbors a rich heritage of historical and cultural relics, showcasing the unique charm of Chu culture. The museum houses several precious cultural relics: 1. A three-legged sheep-headed bronze Zun The decorative patterns all bear a strong Chu cultural characteristic. 2. "The sword bestowed by the King of Yue" The phrase 'bestowed by the king' refers to the son of King Goujian of Yue, The object consists of four parts: the blade, the guard, the handle, and the pommel. The handle is inlaid with turquoise to create exquisite connected cloud patterns. The double-sided guard is inlaid with turquoise to form a hollow bird script with an eight-character inscription that is extremely aesthetically pleasing. 3. "Yingzhou Kaiyuan Temple" large bronze bell The bell was originally cast for Kaiyuan Temple in Yingzhou (now Fuyang) and was transported to Shouzhou in the early Ming Dynasty. It was previously hung in the 'Shengyuan Tower' in the alley north of East Street. The bell is 170 centimeters tall, with a diameter of 125 centimeters, and weighs about 5000 jin, making it the earliest and heaviest bronze bell in existence. 4. Gilded silver divine beast engraved bronze boat The entire body is crafted with alternating yellow and white gilding and silver work, and is engraved with divine figures, divine beasts, and cloud patterns, truly living up to its nickname 'golden rice bowl'. 5. Chu gold coins The most shocking is undoubtedly the wall of Chu gold coins made up of 158 pieces, with a gold content of 85%-96%, a testament to the exquisite skills of the people of Chu at the time. 6. "Chongfo Sheli" entwined peony pattern gold coffin The gold coffin is riveted together with six thin gold sheets, resembling a modern wooden coffin, larger at one end and smaller at the other, with a raised lid and double fan false doors decorated at the front end of the coffin head. The bottom of the coffin is engraved with the words 'Chongfo Sheli'. Inside the coffin are 330 colorful relics. 7. Repoussé treasure-inlaid eight-dragon pattern gold belt buckle A gold ornament from the Eastern Han Dynasty, with a strong three-dimensional sense due to its openwork and high relief. The Shouxian Chu Culture Museum may be unassuming, but it carries a profound historical significance. If there could be a separate exhibition hall dedicated to explaining the classic idioms from Liu An's 'Huainanzi' of the Huainan King, it might add even more historical charm to the city. Regardless, it is worth a visit. Anhui Chu Culture Museum