China's Neolithic Culture: Liangzhu museum reopens with lots of attractions

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04:25

Liangzhu Museum in eastern China's Zhejiang Province has reopened to the public after a ten-month-long renovation. The museum is dedicated to the Neolithic Liangzhu culture dating back 5000 years. The introduction of top-notch technology and modern art has re-invigorated the museum, making it a magnet for old and new visitors.

The Liangzhu Museum's new era promises to explore and enliven the ancient culture even better than before.

Liangzhu people lived along the lower reaches of Yangtze River Delta in China.

It was a Neolithic culture that existed from around 3300 BC until 2300 BC.

Following the museum's upgrades and renovations, visitors can now see the latest archaeological discoveries, including the ruins of the ancient Liangzhu city and large water projects dating back 5000 years.

Liangzhu culture is perhaps best known for its sophisticated jade artifacts. One of the centerpieces within the museum collection is Jade Cong. A squared tube with a round hole, the Cong is said to have been a symbol of supreme power.

LUO YUTING TAIWAN STUDENT "I was surprised to see that the craftsmen from 5000 years ago could carve out designs on a piece of jade as small as a nail. This is something we must be proud of."

More than 600 cultural relics are on display at the museum, nearly doubling the number of previous exhibits there.

The use of cutting-edge technology is the highlight of the reopening. Nineteen digital multi-media projects vividly bring the Liangzhu era to life. Visitors can see how climate change has affected the area where Liangzhu people once lived. And specially-designed VR games have proven especially popular with children and students during the summer months.

WEI JIAXIN STUDENT "These projects and games are fun, and educational as well. The ancient scenes are vividly recreated. And you can learn the details of Liangzhu culture."

The museum also joins hands with artists to organize "Night at the Museum" activities.

This tea party called "Rice and Ware" seeks to revive the life of Liangzhu people, by combining a traditional tea ceremony with theatre performances.

People are invited to sit on stacks of straw, sipping tea while learning the stories of Liangzhu from the performances.

REN ZHENGLIN, PLANNER 'RICE AND WARE' TEA PARTY "While sitting on the straw stacks in the open air, amid the aroma of the boiling tea, people coming here may find a connection with their ancestors' lives of thousands of years ago. It'll be easy for them to understand the ancient civilization."

Mr. Ren also worked with designer Liu Lin to duplicate the unearthed ceramic pots and cups, in order to bring people even closer to the Liangzhu culture.

LIU LIN DESIGNER "We've encountered numerous failures in trying to replicate Liangzhu pottery, since the ratio of different materials is very tricky. When we finally succeeded, we just can't help marvelling at the beauty of the pottery."

At the end of your journey through the museum, don't forget to take a look at the unique souvenirs. They have been delicately designed and crafted to make sure you take home a piece of the ancient Liangzhu culture.