The Long History of the Colorful Clouds in the South - Yunnan Provincial Museum
Yunnan is located in the remote southwest of China, and it often gives people the impression of being a remote and isolated place. However, the history and culture of Yunnan are surprisingly rich and colorful. In fact, Yunnan has quite independent cultural characteristics. If it were not for the powerful expansion capability of the Central Plains dynasties, Yunnan would have been fully capable of nurturing an independent nation and civilization. The hall that fully displays this glorious history is the Yunnan Provincial Museum.
The new location of the Yunnan Provincial Museum is situated between the old city of Kunming and the new city of Chenggong, facing the famous Guandu Ancient Town across the street. However, it is quite far from the subway station. To be honest, the transportation is not very convenient, which is somewhat puzzling. But perhaps this is the only flaw of this museum.
The exterior of the museum is very beautiful, with its bright orange-red walls looking particularly attractive against the blue sky of Kunming, which enjoys spring-like weather all year round. The strong color contrast catches the eye in an instant. At the entrance, there is a huge golden-winged Garuda statue, identical to the one in front of the Chongsheng Temple in Dali. This huge sculpture, which is different from all others in the inland, strongly showcases the unique charm of Yunnan civilization right from the start.
The permanent exhibition of the Yunnan Provincial Museum displays the long history of Yunnan from ancient times to the present day. The exhibition is divided into six parts:
The first part, Ancient Yunnan, shows the long history of human activity in Yunnan. Don't forget that the famous Yuanmou Man appeared in Yunnan, which is the earliest human found on Chinese soil. The profound history of Yunnan is evident.
The second part, The Light of Civilization, showcases Yunnan before the Han Dynasty. During this period, Yunnan independently developed a bronze civilization completely different from that of the Central Plains. Among them, various unique shell storage vessels are particularly eye-catching. These are artifacts that are difficult to find in the bronze civilization of the Central Plains. From the perspective of current history, there were actually many origins of civilization in the Bronze Age of China, including the Sanxingdui in Sichuan. These bronze civilizations should all be parallel to the Xia and Shang civilizations of the Central Plains. The large number of bronze vessels in the Yunnan Provincial Museum that are completely different from those in the museums of the Central Plains eloquently prove that Chinese civilization did not originate from only one place in the Central Plains.
The third part, Dominance in the South, showcases Yunnan during the Han, Wei, Jin, and Southern and Northern Dynasties. During this period, Yunnan began to be influenced by the civilization of the Central Plains. Starting with Emperor Wu of Han's conquest of the Dian Kingdom, the Central Plains civilization had a huge impact on the development of Yunnan. Tiles and bricks from the Qin and Han dynasties began to appear in large numbers, and celadon from the Wei, Jin, and Southern and Northern Dynasties was also unearthed. Yunnan began to develop homogeneously with the Central Plains during this period.
The fourth part, The Fragrant Buddha Land, showcases the second independent development period of Yunnan civilization, which is the Yunnan of the Tang and Song dynasties. From the Nanzhao Kingdom of the Tang Dynasty to the extinction of the Dali Kingdom by Kublai Khan, Yunnan was no longer under the direct control of the Central Plains dynasties for nearly five centuries. Instead, it embarked on its own unique political, economic, and cultural path. During this period, due to its geographical location in the southwest, Yunnan was strongly influenced by the Buddhist civilization of South Asia and became a rare Buddhist land in China. From the Nanzhao Kingdom to the Dali Kingdom, the fragrance of Buddhism spread throughout Yunnan, establishing a theocratic government. The high status of Buddhism was unimaginable for the Central Plains civilization, as evidenced by the countless exquisite Buddha statues, sculptures, and paintings from this period.
The fifth part, Expanding Borders and Guarding Frontiers, showcases the complete conquest and assimilation of Yunnan by the Central Plains dynasties. With the reconstruction of the Great Unity of the Yuan Dynasty, Yunnan returned to the map of the Central Plains dynasties. However, the loose rule of the Yuan did not change the heterogeneous development process of Yunnan. It was the Ming Dynasty that truly made Yunnan part of the Chinese mainland. With the western expeditionary forces sent by Zhu Yuanzhang and the establishment of Guizhou by Emperor Chengzu of Ming, Yunnan was firmly grasped by the Central Plains dynasties and no longer had the possibility of independent development. For 500 years during the Ming and Qing dynasties, the uniqueness of Yunnan almost disappeared. The cultural relics of this period are almost indistinguishable from other regions of China, and Yunnan thus truly became a part of Chinese civilization.
The last part, A Century of Change, showcases modern Yunnan. This period is another era of great changes. Due to its unique geographical location, Yunnan began to open up to the outside world earlier and more thoroughly than other provinces in the mainland. Whether it was the construction of the Yunnan-Vietnam Railway by France, the British missionaries who penetrated the Hengduan Mountains, or the Flying Tigers' Hump Route pilots who descended from the sky, Yunnan in the 19th and 20th centuries had more convenient access to advanced civilizations than the Central Plains. This also made Yunnan one of the earliest and richest places in revolutionary history to wage war against tradition.
This splendid and brilliant history is presented before us through countless exquisite cultural relics and detailed historical materials, like a colorful and magnificent historical scroll that dazzles the eyes and makes one linger and forget to return. Unknowingly, several hours have passed. To visit the Yunnan Provincial Museum, at least half a day is needed, otherwise, it is impossible to fully appreciate the charm of Yunnan.
Spending more time listening to the explanation is a very comfortable process, and you can know the whole history completely. The young lady who explained the whole process was carefully explaining every important cultural relics. Its story, its preciousness, look at these objects from different angles. fine. I only have a few museum teasing comparisons, but there are actually many.
Listening to Mr. Cui's explanation, not only to understand the cultural relics, but also a deep experience of Yunnan's history and culture. His explanation made me understand the rich history and cultural heritage of Yunnan more deeply, and also made me have a deeper understanding of the exhibits of this museum.
It is highly recommended that parents with children come to experience, and can systematically understand the culture of Guxuan. Teacher Cui's explanation is very meticulous and thorough, and the service is thoughtful. After an explanation, we have a deep understanding of the culture of Guxuan.
Teacher Cui spent a long time explaining the collection of Yunnan Provincial Museum. The exhibitions in the venue are rich. From ancient to modern, historical evolution, Mr. Cui introduced it very clearly, the cultural knowledge is very deep, and the learning meaning is more moved than the visit by yourself. Although it is a horse and flower view, it has benefited a lot. Increased knowledge, broadened the horizons, it is worth a visit. If you go to Kunming, I hope my friends must come and see a bias, and I will recommend it to my family and colleagues.
Teacher Cui explained very well, and the details were slightly appropriate. After the explanation, he had a deep impression of Yunnan's history and cultural relics, and he also had a further understanding of Yunnan. The best way to understand a city is to visit a museum. This visit brings a lot of benefits to people. The explanation of more than two and a half hours was full, and the teacher was explaining the whole process, which was great!
Teacher Cui explained very professionally and meticulously, vividly and humorously. The receipt was full and I learned a lot of knowledge that I didn't know. The service is warm and thoughtful, very warm, and superb. Although it was two and a half hours, and finally three hours, the whole venue was very patient and serious. The child also listened very seriously and did not shout tired throughout the whole process. I hope my friend will come to him to explain in the future, and I will also recommend [handshake] [handshake] to friends and family.
Xiao Cui's explanation was too detailed, let us listen to it with relish, every important node cultural relics are explained in detail, the service is thoughtful and meticulous, I hope my friends can find him to explain in the future, open the volume is beneficial, there must be harvest, spend a happy time.