Yunnan Provincial Museum

Chinese name: 云南省博物馆（Yun Nan Sheng Bo Wu Guan）
Location: 6393# Guangfu Road, Guandu District, Kunming City.
Ticket: Free
Estimated time of tour: 2-3 hours
Recommended time of visit: all year round
Nearby attractions: Daguan Park, Guandu Old Town, Dianchi Lake, Jinma Biji Archway, Jiuxiang Caves, West Hill&Dragon Gate, Stone Forest, etc.

Yunnan Provincial Museum was founded in 1951. It is a place not to be missed if you want to understand the history, culture and art of Yunnan Province in a one stop visit. As the iconic building of Kunming city, this museum is connected to Guangfu Road in the north and neighbored by Baoxiang River to its west. To its east is the Yunnan Grand Theatre. This site covers an areas of almost 100,000 square meters. The main building has 5 floors above ground and 2 underground floors. Facilities like inquire desk, tourists centre, cafeteria and souvenir shop are available to visitors. Interpretation service are made available by 12 narrators. Apart from Chinese, English and Spanish interpretation service are also provided. Kids Centre is located on second floor. Chinese Culture Experience Centre is on third floor, providing an interactive environment for visitors.

Yunnan Province is known as The Kingdom of Plants of China due to its diversity in geographical conditions. Local plants are used as decoration to the museum. Tea plants, areca and bamboos are planted in four patios to create an open and natural environment. Outside walls of the museum is in dark copper colour, reflecting the rich nonferrous metal reserve of Yunnan Province.

● Gold statue of Acarya Avalokitesvara  

This rare gold statue was unearthed in 1978 in Dali Tower. Study shows that it is the product of Dali Kingdom, around 10-13th century AD. It is 28cm in height and weighs 1115 grams. Acarya Avalokitesvara was a widely worshiped god in ancient Yunnan. There are 13 golden Acarya Avalokitesvara statues as we know it. 3 of these 13 golden statues are preserved here at Yunnan Provincial Museum. 12 of these golden statues are actually cooper body with gold gilded. The one preserved and displayed at Yunnan museum is the only one made purely of gold.

● Tiger and ox container made of copper

This magnificent piece of copper container was unearthed in 1972, in Lijiangshan Tomb in Jiangchuan County. It is from the era of Warrior States, 5th century BC to 3rd century BC. This food container is call “An” in ancient Chinese books, often seen as food utensils, as well as ritual items. This very one was used for ritual purpose. Ox is considered the most important livestock, and tiger is the most prominent icon of ancient Yunnan.