Facing the Great Hall of the People across People's Square in Chongqing's Yuzhong District, this national first-grade museum traces its roots to the Southwest Museum of 1951 and opened in its current building in 2005. It gathers artefacts rescued and relocated from the Yangtze gorges before the Three Gorges Dam reservoir filled, alongside Ba-Shu bronzes and material on wartime Chongqing, making it effectively the one place to see the Three Gorges as they were before submersion. The complex covers roughly 42,000 sq m with about 23,000 sq m of galleries, holding some ten permanent exhibitions plus 20-30 temporary shows a year. As of July 2026 admission remains free, and it works well as a half-day indoor stop in a downtown Chongqing itinerary.
'Glorious Three Gorges', the flagship permanent gallery, which pairs the pre-dam gorge landscape with the relics moved out of the flood zone.
The Wuyang Han Que, a pair of 2,000-year-old Eastern Han stone gate-towers excavated in Chongqing's Zhong County - the first Han que ever displayed indoors as a museum collection piece.
The Eastern Han Jingyun Stele of 173 CE, so well preserved that it is called the finest Han stele in southwest China.
The Ancient Ba-Yu galleries, where the Wushan Man jaw fossil and bronzes such as the bird-shaped zun trace civilisation on the upper Yangtze.
The War of Resistance galleries, including a 180-degree panorama of Chongqing as China's wartime capital - useful background for the Korean Provisional Government that was based in the same city during those years.
The building itself, with sloping outer walls, a large glass dome and a plaza axis aligned on the Great Hall of the People.
Good to know
RulesCarry your original passport. Chinese museums run on real-name registration and foreign visitors book and enter with a passport; photocopies and phone photos are not accepted. Reservation policy also changes periodically - the museum has alternated between requiring advance booking via its WeChat mini-program (1-7 days ahead) and admitting visitors on ID alone - so check official channels shortly before you go. Closed Mondays, except when a Chinese public holiday falls on one.
RulesPayment and connectivity matter more than the ticket. Link an international card to Alipay or WeChat Pay and complete identity verification before arrival, and note that Google Maps, KakaoTalk and LINE are restricted on the mainland - arrange roaming, a travel eSIM, or install a VPN before you fly.
RulesThere is a security check at the entrance. Lighters, knives of any kind, food and drink, strong-smelling items and unpackaged fragile or sharp objects are restricted; leave large bags at the free cloakroom.
MannersFlash, selfie sticks and tripods are prohibited in the galleries and video recording is restricted. Do not talk loudly, run or smoke, and visitors in inadequate dress may be refused entry.
SeasonChongqing in July and August earns its 'furnace city' nickname, with humid days approaching 40C. The air-conditioned halls draw local heat-refugees as well as tourists, so arrive at opening; winter brings persistent fog and overcast skies.
SafetyDuring the May Day and National Day holidays (early May and early October) free admission means heavy crowds and long queues. In summer, guard against heat exhaustion on the walk to the museum and carry water. Downtown Chongqing is steeply hilly, so expect stairs and slopes on any walking route.
CautionBecause entry is free, ignore anyone selling tickets, touts offering queue access, or private guide packages unaffiliated with the museum. Book only through official channels - the museum provides free multilingual audio guides.
Practical info
The museum is at 236 Renmin Road, Yuzhong District: about a five-minute walk from Dalitang station on Chongqing Rail Transit Line 10, or roughly 800 m along Renmin Road from Exit C of Zengjiayan station on Line 2. It opens Tuesday to Sunday 09:00-17:00 with last admission at 16:30 and closes Mondays, and entry is free - but booking requirements and hours do change, so check the official website or WeChat account for the latest before you go.
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