Millennium-old colors remain vivid, outshining many cultural relics
Visiting the National Museum of China, most people head straight for the gold-threaded jade burial suits or the Tang dynasty tri-colored glazed pottery treasures, often missing a pair of exceptionally beautiful, deeply moving, and masterfully crafted Five Dynasties national treasures—the painted relief warrior stone carvings.
These are not cold stones; they represent the pinnacle of art that has not faded for a thousand years and stand as legendary witnesses to the pursuit and eventual return of our nation's cultural relics across mountains and seas. Many pass by quickly, only seeing their majestic presence, without understanding their craftsmanship value, historical significance, and the twists and turns of their journey home.
Beijing’s local in-depth scenic spot narration brand, "Xiucai Shuo," has long been guiding visitors to deeply unlock the core national treasures of the National Museum. Today, we bring you the exclusive charm of these "Millennium Door Gods," so your visit to the National Museum will be far from superficial!
🗿 National Treasure Profile: The pinnacle of Five Dynasties stone carving art
The painted relief warrior stone carvings date back to the Later Liang period of the Five Dynasties. Unearthed in 1994 from the tomb of Wang Chuzhi in Quyang, Hebei, the entire piece is carved from top-quality Quyang white marble in high relief. The dimensions are grand and well-proportioned: 113.5 cm tall, 58 cm wide, and 11.7 cm thick. It is one of the most complete, best-preserved, and artistically superior stone carvings from the Five Dynasties.
The Five Dynasties period was a transitional era between the Tang and Song dynasties, marked by frequent wars and scarce surviving relics. This pair of warrior stone carvings perfectly inherits the majestic aesthetics of the Tang dynasty while pioneering the elegant style of the Song dynasty, serving as a crucial physical testament to the artistic transition between Tang and Song, with irreplaceable historical weight.
Unlike most ancient stone carvings that have faded and weathered, these warriors retain bright colors and clear painted layers thanks to high-quality mineral pigments and excellent preservation conditions. The golden armor and intricate patterns perfectly replicate the craftsmanship of a flourishing era from a thousand years ago.
✨ Detail Perfection! The ultimate aesthetics of one dragon and one phoenix, one ox and one deer
The National Museum exhibits a pair of warrior stone carvings, with subtle details cleverly designed to complement each other—without a guide, their exquisite features are hard to appreciate:
✅ Majestic posture, full of spirit
Both warriors wear delicate helmets and classic Tang dynasty Mingguang armor. Every detail—from neck guards, shoulder plates, armor straps, to the abdominal protection—is meticulously carved. Their figures are upright and robust, eyes fierce and commanding, standing with swords in hand, embodying the typical Buddhist guardian king image.
✅ Auspicious dragon and phoenix, yin and yang harmony
The left warrior has a green dragon perched on his shoulder and a deer underfoot; the right warrior has a phoenix holding a pearl on his shoulder and a reclining ox underfoot. One dragon, one phoenix, one deer, one ox—symmetrical and harmonious, symbolizing ancient prayers for spiritual protection and peace.
✅ Millennium-old painting, stunning through time
Ancient artisans applied natural mineral pigments layer by layer, combined with gold leaf techniques, resulting in colors with strong adhesion. Even after a thousand years, the colors remain rich and layered, breaking the stereotype that stone carvings are colorless and revealing the superb skills of Five Dynasties master craftsmen.
📜 Legendary Past: A lifetime of wandering, finally returning home as a national treasure
What moves people most about this relic is not just its beauty and craftsmanship but its dramatic and passionate story of repatriation.
In 1994, the tomb of Wang Chuzhi in Quyang, Hebei, was looted, and this precious pair of warrior stone carvings was lost overseas, even appearing at international auctions, facing the prospect of permanent exile abroad.
To bring these national treasures home, China engaged in extensive negotiations and persistent pursuit. Ultimately, with the help of patriotic individuals, the two stone carvings were returned to the motherland free of charge and are now housed in the National Museum of China.
These millennium-old warriors once guarded ancient tombs, endured wandering and hardship, and now stand firmly in the museum’s exhibition hall, protecting the cultural heritage of China. This is the destiny of cultural relics and the best testament to the strength of a great nation. Every visitor who stops to admire them can understand the unique cultural inheritance and patriotic romance of China.
📸 National Museum Visit Guide
Exhibition location: Core area of the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms section in the "Ancient China" exhibition at the National Museum of China
👀 Viewing highlights: Examine the armor textures, dragon and phoenix auspicious beasts, millennium-old painting details, and the warriors’ facial expressions
💡 Viewing tips: After visiting the Tang dynasty section, move on to this exhibit to clearly feel the artistic evolution during the Tang-Song transition period and better understand the historical context
🎧 Xiucai Shuo · National Museum Premium Half-Day Guided Tour | Understand the stories behind the national treasures
Visiting the National Museum alone only reveals the warriors’ majestic appearance; joining "Xiucai Shuo" for an in-depth tour lets you hear about the millennium-old craftsmanship, turbulent history, and passionate stories of cultural relic repatriation.
We are a local Beijing professional direct-operated narration brand, deeply rooted in Beijing’s cultural tourism for years, specializing in high-quality half-day small group tours of the Forbidden City, National Museum, Prince Gong’s Mansion, Summer Palace, and Yonghe Temple, with solid reputation and excellent experience.
✅ Certified professional guides provide detailed explanations of stone carving craftsmanship, historical background, and repatriation legends, packed with valuable insights
✅ Scientific viewing routes avoid backtracking, efficiently covering all core national treasures in the museum
✅ Assistance with ticket reservations, no need to rush or queue during peak seasons, saving time and effort
✅ Pure cultural narration, no shopping or hidden costs, immersive slow-paced exploration
✅ Small groups with a relaxed pace, perfect for seniors, families, and first-time museum visitors
💡 Summary
One stone holds a millennium, one warrior guards the mountains and rivers.
The painted relief warrior stone carvings are artistic treasures surviving the chaotic Five Dynasties, physical evidence of Tang-Song cultural heritage, and national symbols that crossed seas to return home.
When you visit the National Museum, don’t miss these millennium Door Gods! See the vivid paintings, appreciate ancient craftsmanship, and feel the cultural legacy.