Chongqing China Three Gorges Museum: What to See & Tips

The Chongqing China Three Gorges Museum was founded because of the Three Gorges Project, but its significance far exceeds mere artifact collection. The abundance of artifacts and multimedia displays here makes history no longer remote. If you want to know the past and present of Chongqing in a short amount of time, this museum is truly the best starting point.

Chongqing China Three Gorges Museum exterior

Facts about the Chongqing China Three Gorges Museum

Chongqing China Three Gorges Museum interior

The Chongqing Three Gorges Museum is located in Yuzhong District, Chongqing, standing opposite the Great Hall of the People. It is a large-scale museum dedicated to collecting, researching, and displaying artifacts from the Old Stone Age to modern China. The building has a grand exterior that easily calls to mind the majesty of the Three Gorges Dam. Spread across 4 floors, the museum features over 10 permanent and special exhibition halls with more than a hundred thousand collections. You can explore Chongqing's history and contemporary life more vividly through a mix of actual relics, immersive displays, and multimedia experiences.

Opening Hours: Open daily from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM (last entry at 4:00 PM). Closed on Mondays (except for national public holidays).

Entrance Fee: Free

Recommended Duration: 2-3 hours

Location: No. 236 Renmin Road, Daxigou, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, China.

Highlights of the Chongqing China Three Gorges Museum

The usual way to tour the museum is to start on the first floor and go up to the fourth. However, if you want to quickly see the star exhibits and avoid retracing your steps, you can follow the order of the first, second, and fourth floors. Start with the Marvelous Three Gorges exhibit on the first floor, then see the Chongqing City Evolution exhibit on the second, and end with the Chinese Porcelain of Past Dynasties exhibit on the fourth. If you're lucky, you might come across a special exhibition of reproduced masterpieces.

Marvelous Three Gorges

Sculpture of the Three Gorges boat trackers

On the first floor, the Marvelous Three Gorges exhibit guides you through the area's geology, ecology, water conservancy projects, and human migration. Using a large-scale topographic model, immersive videos, artifacts, and interactive displays, it fully recreates the scenes of the Three Gorges' canyons, water flow, ancient towns, and the relocation of residents.

The exhibit is divided into 4 sections, and a particularly captivating display is the sculpture of the Three Gorges boat trackers, which powerfully brings to life the difficult reality of the ancient boatmen fighting the strong currents.

Star exhibits in this hall:

• Major-General's Golden Seal (Eastern Han Dynasty): a symbol of military honor granted by the emperor to distinguished generals.
• Wuyang Que (Han-Wei Period): a stone watchtower model showing early Chinese architectural design and decorative patterns.

Chongqing City Evolution Hall

History photo wall at Three Gorges Museum

The Chongqing City Evolution exhibition hall is located on the second floor of the museum, displaying the city's transformation from a traditional mountain town to a modern metropolis. Through historical photographs, old artifacts, and recreated scenes, the exhibition vividly shows how Chongqing has changed in terms of urban construction, society, and culture over the modern and contemporary periods.

The hall features restored street scenes: you can see traditional Chinese medicine neatly stored at an old pharmacy, a blacksmith shop where two people are forging tools, a grocery selling daily necessities like cured meats and seasonings, and an early version of a hotpot restaurant. Walking through these reconstructed streetscapes allows you to observe everyday life and details of people's lives.

Star exhibit in this hall:

• The Last Will of Martyr Jiang Zhuyun (Modern Times): a touching handwritten note by a revolutionary heroine.

Years of the War of Resistance Against Japan

Three Gorges Museum cannon sculpture

The Year of the War of Resistance Against Japan exhibition hall recreates the indomitable spirit of Chongqing during the Anti-Japanese War. It shows historical scenes of Chongqing as the wartime auxiliary capital through photographs, artifacts, and semi-panoramic paintings. Upon entering the hall, over 300 wartime relics come into view. The photo wall shows the heartbreaking ruins left by the bombing of Chongqing, but the scenes of citizens helping each other and rebuilding their homes are full of strength, conveying the city's resilience and hope as it was reborn from the flames of war.

Chinese Porcelain of Past Dynasties

Porcelain bowl at Three Gorges Museum

The Chinese Porcelain of Past Dynasties exhibition hall features over 250 exquisite porcelain artifacts ranging from the Shang and Zhou Dynasties to the modern era, basically tracing the entire development of Chinese porcelain.

Star exhibit in this hall:

• Western Han Celadon Bird-Patterned Jar: The jar is remarkable for its classic form and lively bird patterns, illustrating the early artistry and technique of early porcelain production.
• Guanyin figure sculpted by He Chaozong: The Guanyin figure is characterized by its fluid lines and peaceful expression, making it a definitive example of Dehua white porcelain craftsmanship.
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How to Get There

By Metro

• Take Line 2 to Zengjiayan Station, exit from Exit 3, and walk for about 5 minutes.
• Take Line 10 to Great Hall of the People Station, exit from Exit 1, and walk for about 10 minutes.

By Bus

Take bus routes 145, 262, 322, 829, 862, etc., and get off at the Great Hall of the People Station, then walk about 3 minutes to get to the Chongqing China Three Gorges Museum.

By Car

The drive takes about 20 minutes from Chongqing North Railway Station, about 40 minutes from Chongqing West Railway Station, and about 30 minutes from Chongqing Jiangbei Airport. We suggest you book a tour from China Odyssey Tours, with a private guide and car ready to pick you up upon your arrival in Chongqing.

Nearby Attractions

The Great Hall of the People in Chongqing

Chongqing People's Square: Located across from the Chongqing Three Gorges Museum. You can have close interaction with many pigeons here. Many citizens also come here for an evening stroll, and you'll see people gathered beneath almost every one of the trees on the square. It is about 190 meters from the museum, a walk of approximately 3 minutes.

The Great Hall of the People: This magnificent building is renowned for its special domed design. Lights illuminate the hall from 8:00 PM to 9:30 PM in the summer and from 7:30 PM to 9:00 PM in the winter, making it appear even more majestic. It is about 250 meters from the museum, a walk of approximately 4 minutes.

Jiefangbei Pedestrian Street: This is Chongqing's busiest commercial district, packed with shopping and dining options. The best time to visit is in the evening to enjoy the beautiful night view. It is about 5.4 km from the museum, taking approximately 20 minutes by car.

Tips for Visiting the Chongqing China Three Gorges Museum

• A security check is required for entry, and you need to show your passport. Please note that bringing food and drinks inside is not allowed.
• The museum offers English-speaking guides (advance reservation is required), and audio guides are also available for rent, making it more convenient to understand the background of the exhibits.
• There are many souvenir shops inside the museum. It's recommended to stop by after your visit to buy some things to take home, as every item is exquisite.

If you'd like to know more about the Chongqing China Three Gorges Museum or need any travel assistance, feel free to contact us at trip@odynovotours.com. Our travel experts are always ready to offer you the best travel service.