As a key cultural and museum project of the 2025 Yangtze River Culture and Art Season, the “Eternal River: Treasures of Ancient Civilizations Along the Yangtze” exhibition is set to open to the public on September 23. On September 19, a preview revealed that treasures from 37 cultural and museum institutions across the country are ready and awaiting visitors.

Curator’s gallery tour

The Yangtze River, flowing endlessly, has nurtured a profound and long-standing civilization. Over time, countless cultural treasures such as jade, lacquerware, bronze, gold and silver, and ceramics have shone brilliantly. They bear vivid witness to the development of Yangtze civilization, carving out countless gleaming marks of culture throughout the long river of time, together outlining the magnificent panorama of Chinese civilization’s diversity and unity.

The exhibition features 160 exquisite cultural relics related to Yangtze civilization from 37 institutions, including the China Three Gorges Museum, Hunan Museum, Hubei Provincial Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology, Henan Provincial Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology, Zhejiang Provincial Museum, Nanjing Museum, and Yangzhou Museum. Organized into five categories—jade, lacquer and woodware, bronze, gold and silver, and ceramics—the exhibition is divided into five units: Splendid Jade, Luminous Lacquer, Sacred Bronzes, Gleaming Gold, and the Art of Clay and Fire. These sections trace the developmental history, craftsmanship, and artistic achievements of the Yangtze River basin from the Neolithic Age to the Ming and Qing dynasties, highlighting the important role of ancient Yangtze civilization in the development of Chinese civilization.

The exhibits are arranged chronologically to help viewers observe the era-specific features, evolutionary processes, and craft characteristics of different artifacts, offering an intuitive understanding of cultural differences and exchanges across various periods and regions along the Yangtze, and inspiring appreciation for the heights of ancient Yangtze civilization.

Curator’s gallery tour

To enhance the viewing experience and deepen immersive engagement, this special exhibition features multiple interactive areas tailored to the theme and characteristics of the displays, increasing both fun and visitor participation, with the aim of deepening understanding and impression of the exhibits.

China Three Gorges Museum

The China Three Gorges Museum in Chongqing is a major institution dedicated to preserving the history and culture of the Three Gorges region of the Yangtze River. It was established in 2005 to document and exhibit the immense archaeological rescue effort undertaken before the area was flooded by the Three Gorges Dam project. Its extensive collections include historical artifacts, cultural relics, and exhibits on the regional environment and the resettlement of millions of people.

Hunan Museum

The Hunan Museum, located in Changsha, is the largest historical and art museum in Hunan Province. It is renowned for its exceptional collection of artifacts from the Mawangdui Han Dynasty tombs, particularly the well-preserved 2,100-year-old body of Xin Zhui. The museum’s exhibits provide a comprehensive insight into the ancient Chu culture and the history of the region.

Hubei Provincial Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology

The Hubei Provincial Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology is a leading Chinese research institution responsible for the excavation, preservation, and study of cultural relics within Hubei province. It has played a pivotal role in major archaeological discoveries, most notably the excavation and research of the Tomb of Marquis Yi of Zeng and its priceless bronze ritual vessels and the famous Bianzhong chime bells, dating back to the 5th century BC. The institute’s work is fundamental to understanding the ancient Chu culture and the history of central China.

Henan Provincial Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology

The Henan Provincial Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology is a leading Chinese research institution responsible for the excavation, preservation, and study of cultural relics within Henan province, a region considered the cradle of Chinese civilization. Its archaeologists have made significant contributions to the understanding of ancient China through major discoveries, including the excavation of Shang Dynasty capitals and numerous Neolithic sites. The institute’s work has been fundamental in uncovering the historical depth of the Yellow River valley.

Zhejiang Provincial Museum

The Zhejiang Provincial Museum, established in 1929, is one of China’s oldest comprehensive museums and is located in Hangzhou. Its extensive collections, spanning over 100,000 items, showcase the region’s rich history from Neolithic Hemudu culture to the modern era. The museum is particularly renowned for its artifacts from the ancient Yue and Wuyue states, as well as its exquisite celadon porcelain.

Nanjing Museum

The Nanjing Museum is one of China’s largest and oldest museums, first established in 1933. It houses a vast collection of over 400,000 items, including significant artifacts from Jiangsu province that reflect China’s long history. The museum complex itself combines historic and modern architecture, having been expanded and renovated over the decades.

Yangzhou Museum

The Yangzhou Museum is a comprehensive institution showcasing the region’s rich cultural heritage, with a collection spanning ancient artifacts to modern art. It was established in 1951 and is housed in a building that harmoniously blends traditional Chinese architectural style with modern design. The museum’s exhibits particularly highlight Yangzhou’s history as a prosperous center of trade and culture during the Tang and Qing dynasties.

Yangtze River

The Yangtze River is the longest river in Asia and a cradle of Chinese civilization, with a history of human habitation and irrigation dating back millennia. It has been a vital transportation route and economic artery throughout China’s history, shaping the culture and development of the regions through which it flows. Today, it is also famous for the massive Three Gorges Dam, the world’s largest power station.