This museum displays artefacts from the time when Luoyang was the northern terminus of the canal. The main highlight is two sunken ships that were discovered in 2013.
On May 18, 2022, the Sui Tang Grand Canal Culture Museum 隋唐大运河文化博物馆 in Luoyang was officially opened to the public. The museum covers an area of about 47.7 mu, with a construction area of about 33,000 square meters, and exhibits nearly 400 pieces (sets) of Grand Canal-related cultural relics. Through the combination of modern technology and ancient relics, the cultural heritage and profound connotations of the Grand Canal heritage are vividly explained to the public.
The site is located in triangular land at the intersection of Luo River and Chan River, and the spatial organization is inherently limited. On the one hand, the architectural layout of the museum respects and echoes the central axis of the Tang Dynasty-style buildings that have been formed on the Luo River embankment.
On the other hand, in terms of the internal space organisation, it uses the progressive functional space layout layer by layer to avoid adverse terrain effects, forming a complete and continuous exhibition hall unit and a variable internal space experience.
About the Grand Canal 大运河
The Grand Canal 大运河 is a system of interconnected canals linking various major rivers in North and East China, serving as an important waterborne transport infrastructure between the north and the south during Medieval and premodern China. It is the longest artificial waterway in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The Grand Canal was dug during the Sui Dynasty (605-618 AD) and underwent expansions and renovations in multiple dynasties such as the Tang, Yuan, Ming, and Qing. It played an extremely important role in economy, transportation, and culture. Luoyang was an important node of the Grand Canal and witnessed its prosperity and splendour.
The network was completed by Emperor Yang of the Sui dynasty 隋炀帝 in AD 609, linking the fertile Jiangnan region in the south to his capital at Luoyang in the west and to his armies in the far north. His unsuccessful and unpopular wars and the massive amounts of conscripted labour involved in creating the canal were among the chief factors in the rapid fall of the Sui, but the connection of China’s major watersheds and population centres proved enormously beneficial.
From the Tang to Qing dynasties, the Grand Canal served as the main artery between northern and southern China and was essential for the transport of grain to Beijing. Although it was mainly used for shipping grain, it also transported other commodities and the corridor along the canal developed into an important economic belt. Records show that, at its height, every year more than 8,000 boats transported four to six million dan (240,000–360,000 metric tons) of grain. The convenience of transport also enabled rulers to lead inspection tours to southern China. In the Qing dynasty, the Kangxi and Qianlong emperors made twelve trips to the south, on all occasions but one reaching Hangzhou.
When entering the museum hall, visitors can admire a huge panoramic view of the Grand Canal to experience its magnificent scene. Then, visitors can visit various exhibition halls to learn about the historical evolution, engineering techniques, economic and cultural influences of the Grand Canal. Additionally, the museum also has an interactive experience area.
It mainly showcases the historical background, engineering techniques, economic and cultural influences of the Grand Canal during the Sui and Tang Dynasties, aiming to inherit the canal culture and promote the national spirit.
The exhibition contents of the museum are rich and diverse, including historical documents, cultural relic displays, model exhibitions, and scene restorations. The exhibitions are divided into five parts: the digging and historical background of the canal, the engineering techniques and architecture of the canal, the economy and cultural exchanges along the canal, the cities and social life along the canal, and the decline and protection of the canal.
Through these exhibitions, visitors can comprehensively understand the historical status and cultural value of the Grand Canal.
No. 1 Wreck of The Grand Canal In Luoyang 洛阳运河一号沉船
Luoyang No. 1 Wreck of The Grand Canal is a Qing Dynasty (1644–1911) is an inland river ancient wooden shipwreck discovered in September 2013. It adds significantly to the study of Grand Canal transport history and Luoyang’s economic history. The entirety of the ship was uncovered after about seven months of excavation and cleaning. 2
It has 13 compartments and is 20.14 m long and 3.48 m wide, with a maximum of 1.42 m remaining. The wreckage wood has deteriorated due to microbial infestation in the underground environment.
No. 2 Wreck of The Grand Canal In Luoyang 洛阳运河二号沉船
No. 2 Wreck of the Grand Canal was excavated from the channel of the Grand Canal of the Han and Tang period southwest of Yijing Village, Shouyangshan Township, Yanshi District, Luoyang 洛阳市偃师区首阳山镇义井村西南汉唐漕运河道内.
As a passenger-cargo ship sailing on inland waters during the Ming and Qing period, it roughly features the same shape as No. 1 Wreck of the Grand Canal,3
It was discovered southeast of No. 1 Wreck, but it remained overturned in a northeast-southwest direction, badly damaged with only a front part surviving.
The wreck remained anchored, with anchor chains at the prow.
Inside the stratum on the north side of the wreck were scattered porcelain jars, blue-and-white porcelain bowls, stirrups, iron ladles, wooden drills, tin pots, and iron hammers, axes, adzes and scissors.
Tricolour-glazed Pottery Figurine of The Heaven King 三彩天王俑
The largest tri-coloured glazed pottery figurine ever found in Luoyang city of Henan province has made its debut at the museum. This pottery figurine of the Heavenly King was discovered in a tomb of the Tang Dynasty (618-907) in Luolong district of Luoyang, which had been broken into hundreds of pieces when unearthed but was later pieced together by restorers. Apart from it, a number of large tri-coloured glazed pottery beasts and Heavenly Kings were also discovered.4
The tomb of Li Jingyi 李敬彝, whom died and was buried in 2nd year of Tang Jinglong period 景龙二年 (708), was discovered and excavated when Longmen Avenue was constructed in 2012. This pottery figurine of the Heavenly King is 126cm in height and it is the image of dharma protector 护法天神.5 Tri-coloured glazed pottery figurines are not a rarity, except this one, because of its height, is the largest one ever found in Luoyang. Besides, it is vivid and rich in details, which is really a masterpiece.
The Heavenly King-themed figurine looks like a man from the Northern or Western barbarian tribes in ancient China. He wears a ceremonial cap decorated with bird feathers and features glaring eyes, a wide nose, bushy eyebrows, looking valiant and vigorous. He wears a protective armour with silk strips at the chest and waist and dragon head-shaped protective pads at the shoulders. His right hand is placed at the waist, while his left hand is clenched and raised high.
He wears a pair of long boots with pointed tops, with his left foot grinding on the ghost’s shoulders and his right foot on the ghost’s belly. Beneath the ghost is a tricolour-glazed rectangular Sumeru pedestal6. Except the head of the Heavenly King, the whole figurine is applied with yellow, white and green glazes.
This is obviously some kind of propaganda about the One Belt One Road initiative, when museums with the OBOR theme like this one sprang up all over China. Seriously nothing much to see here except two shipwreck remains. The relics are mainly broken bits, and the only main attraction is the largest Sancai Heavenly King.
But it’s quite fun people watching here as there are many girls dressed up in Hanfu coming here to “check in” 打卡. Otherwise, you can give it a miss.
About Sui Tang Grand Canal Culture Museum 隋唐大运河文化博物馆
Sui-Tang Dynasties Grand Canal Cultural Museum 隋唐大运河文化博物馆
171 Jiudu E Rd, Laocheng Qu, Luoyang Shi, Henan Sheng, China
河南省洛阳市老城区滨河北路与新伊大街交叉口东100米
Opening Hours : 9:00一17:00 (Closed on Mondays)
Admission: Free (Foreigners need to produce passports)
Visited Mar 2024
Footnotes:
- 明清（鸦片战争前），自公元1368年至1840年，有四百七十二年的历史。 这一时期，我国统一的多民族国家得到巩固。 明朝中叶以后，在封建社会内部产生了资本主义生产关系的萌芽。 这一时期的统计，继隋、唐之后进入新的发展阶段。https://www.gov.cn/test/2005-06/09/content_5394.htm#:~:text=明清（鸦片战争前,进入新的发展阶段%E3%80%82 ↩︎
- Liu, X.; Ma, W.; Tu, X.; Huang, H.; Varodi, A.M. Study on the Wood Characteristics of the Chinese Ancient Ship Luoyang I. Materials 2023. https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1944/16/3/1145#:~:text=Luoyang%20No.,history%20and%20Luoyang’s%20economic%20history. ↩︎
- 运河二号沉船出土于洛阳市偃师区首阳山镇义井村西南汉唐漕运河道内，发现时位于运河一号沉船的东南部，呈东北一西南向，船休侧翻，残损严重，仅存前半部分。船残长10.65米，残高1米，船底最大宽度1.86米，最小宽度112米。船首有锚链，处于抛锚状态。在船北侧的地层中发现有散落的瓷罐、瓷坛、青花瓷碗、马镜、铁飘、木钻、锡壶、铁锤、斧、锛、剪等船上物品。运河二号形制与运河一号基本相同，为明清时期的内河客货运输船。
From the museum description display tag ↩︎ - https://en.dahe.cn/2022/05-17/1024285.html ↩︎
- 墓主人李敬鲜葬于景龙二年（708年），2012年修建龙门大道时被发现。天王俑通高126厘米，为护法天神形象。天王俑头戴鹋冠，双眼因瞪，阔興，相眉，表情威武勇猛，上身穿着明光铠，胸腹部缚绊甲丝绦，双肩彼覆龙首护膊，右手下摆放置于腰侧，左手握拳高举，双足穿长筒尖履，左脚屏于小鬼肩部，右脚踩在小鬼腹部，小鬼之下为长方形须弥式三彩台座。除头部以外，施黄、白和绿柚。
From the museum description display tag ↩︎ - According to Buddhist literature, Sumeru (Mt Meru) is the largest mountain in the world and the home of Buddha and bodhisattvas. ↩︎
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