Zunyi Museum: A Visitor’s Guide to Long March History in Guizhou
Introduction:
In Zunyi — the Guizhou city famous as “the turning point” of modern Chinese history — the Zunyi Museum stands as a cultural pavilion blending deep history with contemporary vitality. The museum traces the civilization of northern Guizhou and preserves the living memory of the Long March. Wander its halls and you’ll hear the echo of a Han dynasty bronze drum, admire the glaze of Ming blue-and-white porcelain, and feel the decisive moments of the Zunyi Conference come alive in the Red Memory galleries.
1. Museum Positioning and Core Charms
Zunyi Museum is a comprehensive institution centered on both local history and red (revolutionary) culture. Its mission can be summed up as “From ancient Yelang to revolutionary Zunyi — three thousand years of northern Guizhou under one roof.” As a national Level-3 museum, it is both an important research base for Guizhou heritage and a key destination on China’s red tourism map.
Unique selling points:
– Deep historical span: a continuous regional narrative from pre-Qin Yelang civilization through the Long March era.
– Strong red IP: the Zunyi Conference exhibition is one of the most systematic Long March displays in China.
– Interactive innovation: digital exhibits and AR experiences break the static museum stereotype, making it especially family-friendly.
2. Architecture and Space: Regional Expression in a Modern Tongue
The museum’s architecture takes “overlapping ridgelines” as its design motif. The façade mixes light-gray stone with glass curtain walls, echoing northern Guizhou’s karst landscape while giving the building a bright, modern presence. A spiraling ramp in the atrium subtly references the winding ascent of the Long March, and it’s a favorite photo spot for visitors.
Not-to-miss architectural details:
– Entrance relief wall: a red sandstone carving titled “Epic of Northern Guizhou” compresses scenes from agrarian life to the meet-up at Zunyi.
– Rooftop viewing platform: offers sweeping views of Phoenix Mountain, perfect for combining cityscape shots with the museum’s aesthetic.
3. Star Treasures and Must-See Exhibits
① Han Dynasty bronze drum with feathered oarmen motif (National First-Class Cultural Relic)
This 2,000-year-old bronze drum bears mysterious feathered people rowing motifs, revealing the Yelang peoples’ ritual use of drums. Inspect closely and you’ll notice an egret holding a fish at a boat prow — a motif rarely seen elsewhere in China.
② Ming blue-and-white lotus-scroll yuhuchun bottle
The glaze is clear and creamy, the lotus scroll painted with exquisite brushwork. The cobalt displays a classic Xuande blue characteristic of Ming folk kilns. An intentional kiln crack on the base has become an important authenticity marker.
③ Oil painting “Zunyi Conference” (revolutionary artifact)
Rendered as a frozen instant, the painting recreates the 1935 conference with vivid realism: Mao Zedong pointing at a map, Zhou Enlai’s pensive brow, even the steam rising from a teacup on the table.
4. Exhibition Narrative and Learning Highlights
Permanent exhibition logic:
– “Zunyi Historical and Cultural Display”: unfolds along a timeline — ancient civilizations, the tusi (native chieftain) era, Ming-Qing prosperity, and modern upheavals — highlighting the multicultural character of northern Guizhou.
– “Red Memory” special exhibition: more than 300 artifacts plus AR interaction decode the military strategy behind episodes such as the “Four Crossings of the Chishui River” during the Long March.
Hidden knowledge easter egg:
In the corner of the Intangible Cultural Heritage room sits a miniature model of the Gelao people’s 12-meter high “high-pole lion” tradition. Press a button to trigger a projection demonstration — this daring performance still survives in remote Zunyi mountain villages.
5. Practical Visitor Guide: Bookings, Photos, and Everything Else
Opening hours:
Tuesday–Sunday 9:00–17:00 (last entry 16:30); closed Mondays (except national holidays).
Tickets and reservations:
– Free admission, but all visitors must reserve at least one day in advance via the museum’s WeChat account (passport registration accepted).
– Occasional temporary exhibitions may charge (around RMB30); Visa card payment is available on site.
Transport tips:
– Metro: take Zunyi Metro Line 1 to Renmin Road Station, Exit B, then an eight-minute walk.
– Driving: underground parking is free for two hours (show your reservation code).
Guided services:
– English audio guides are available at the right side of the lobby (RMB20/device, deposit RMB200).
– Mandarin guided tours run daily at 10:30 and 14:30; book an English-speaking guide ahead (RMB150 per group).
Local insider tips for photos:
– Best photo spot: the giant circular screen in the second-floor Long March gallery — silhouette shots are striking when the lights and projections align.
– Off-peak window: 12:00–13:30 typically sees the smallest crowds; interactive stations in the Red Memory gallery usually have no queues.
Conclusion:
As you walk through the museum’s “Time Corridor” and pass displays of cool bronze sheen and impassioned Long March slogans, you complete a spiritual journey from ancient civilization to modern China. Whether you’re a history buff, an art lover, or traveling with kids seeking an immersive lesson beyond the classroom, Zunyi Museum delivers more than expected. Don’t forget to leave a red star on the visitor message wall — a simple ritual where guests converse with history.
