Through 5,000 Years of Xiangshan History: The Ultimate Guide to Zhongshan Museum – Where History Meets Daily Life

🌿 Introduction: One Museum, Half of Zhongshan’s History

As the morning sun shines on the arcade streets of Sunwen Middle Road, the eaves of Zhongshan Museum blend harmoniously with the greenery of its garden. This comprehensive local museum integrates collection, research, exhibition, and education – not only a “time capsule” of Zhongshan’s culture but also a space where ancient and modern architectures converse through its garden-style layout. For 5,000 years, Xiangshan’s civilization has flowed quietly among the bricks, tiles, plants, and trees here. Since its establishment in 1984 and the opening of the new venue in 2022, the museum has always shouldered the mission of recording the city’s roots and inheriting the spirit of pioneering.

🏛️ In-Depth Attraction Introduction: Decoding the Four Core Dimensions of Xiangshan Civilization

I. Main Hall: A Garden-Style Sanctuary of Past and Present

Located at No. 197 Sunwen Middle Road, Shiqi Sub-district, the main hall of Zhongshan Museum opened its new venue on May 18, 2022, covering a total area of 17,426 square meters with a building area of 24,832 square meters. Its most remarkable feature is the “integration of garden and museum” design – three immovable cultural relics are scattered throughout the premises: the former site of Qiaoli Zhongshan Public Hospital (a model of Western-style architecture), the former site of the 139 Guest House of the CPC Zhongshan County Committee, and the former residence of Zheng Zaoru (a Qing Dynasty folk house). Gray brick tiles and modern glass curtain walls complement each other, making visitors feel as if they are traveling through time while wandering around.

Core Exhibition: “Winds Over Lingdingyang – The History of Zhongshan”

As the permanent core exhibition, it takes time as the axis, systematically presenting the 5,000-year transformation of Xiangshan from an island settlement to a modern city through cultural relics such as Neolithic stone axes, Han Dynasty green-glazed pottery boxes, and Song Dynasty blue-and-white porcelain ewers salvaged from sunken ships. The giant lacquer mural in the central hall (the second largest in China) is particularly stunning: the upper right corner outlines the contours of Macau and Zhuhai, while the lower right corner freezes the style of Zhongshan. The interplay of light and shadow fully reflects the urban spirit of “Daring to Be the First by the Lingdingyang”.

II. Themed Museums Within the Complex: Niche Yet Profound Cultural Snippets

1. Zhongshan Overseas Chinese History Museum (Within the Complex)

The permanent exhibition “The Vastness of the Sea – The History of Zhongshan Overseas Chinese” is the most emotionally resonant gallery. Through physical objects such as overseas Chinese remittance documents, “Gold Mountain Trunks” (luggage boxes used by overseas Chinese), and family letters, combined with audio-visual technology, it restores the hardships of overseas Chinese venturing into the world: the “Uncles from Gold Mountain” who left home at a young age of ten-odd, supporting their hometown’s construction with hard-earned money. The family love and patriotic feelings in every line are touching. Sun Yat-sen once said, “Overseas Chinese are the mothers of the revolution” – every exhibit here is the best annotation.

2. Zhongshan Radio Museum (Within the Complex)

China’s first radio-themed museum holds the youthful memories of several generations! With more than 300 exhibits ranging from Republican-era wooden-case radios, early liberation electronic tube radios to reform-era semiconductor models, it completely presents the development context of China’s broadcasting industry. Among them, the Republican-era “Hongdeng (Red Lantern) Brand” wooden-case radio and the 1980s “Xiongmao (Panda) Brand” portable radio are must-photograph spots for retro enthusiasts.

III. Independent Themed Museum: A Commercial Legend Beside the Pedestrian Street

Xiangshan Commercial Culture Museum (No. 152 Sunwen West Road)

Hidden among the arcades of Sunwen West Road Cultural and Tourism Pedestrian Street, China’s first commercial culture-themed museum tells the story of Xiangshan people’s pioneering spirit in business. From the salt trade of Xiangshan Chang during the Ming and Qing dynasties to the pioneering efforts of industrialists such as Zheng Guanying in modern times, the exhibits include old business account books, foreign firm bills, and factory equipment founded by overseas Chinese merchants, vividly showing Xiangshan’s benchmark role in China’s modern industrial and commercial fields. After visiting the museum, you can directly explore the pedestrian street, where arcade old streets blend with modern shops, allowing you to experience a “living commercial history”.

📝 Ultimate Visiting Guide: Explore the Entire Museum Efficiently and Easily

1. Basic Information (Must-Know!)

• Opening Hours: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM (last entry at 4:30 PM), closed on Mondays (except legal holidays)
• Ticket Policy: Free of charge! Individual visitors do not need to book in advance – just scan the QR code on-site to enter; groups must make reservations through the official WeChat public account in advance
• Addresses: Main Hall/Overseas Chinese Museum/Radio Museum (No. 197 Sunwen Middle Road, Shiqi Sub-district); Xiangshan Commercial Culture Museum (No. 152 Sunwen West Road, Shiqi Sub-district)

2. Transportation Guide

• Public Transport: Take bus routes 002/005/009/021 to “Zhongshan Memorial Hall Station”, then walk 180 meters to the main hall
• Self-Driving: Navigate to “Zhongshan Museum Underground Parking Lot” (5 yuan/hour). There are also public parking lots near Sunwen West Road (green travel is recommended during peak seasons)
• Walking Connection: The main hall is about 800 meters away from Sunwen West Road Pedestrian Street. After visiting the main hall, you can walk to Xiangshan Commercial Culture Museum and check out the old street scenery along the way

3. Recommended Visiting Route (5-Hour In-Depth Tour)

Morning (Main Hall + Themed Museums Within the Complex)

9:00 AM: “Winds Over Lingdingyang” on the 1st floor of the main hall → 10:00 AM: Folk Customs Exhibition on the 2nd floor of the main hall → 11:00 AM: Zhongshan Overseas Chinese History Museum (catch the 11:10 AM official tour) → 12:00 PM: Take photos in the garden area (former residence of Zheng Zaoru, former site of Qiaoli Zhongshan Public Hospital)

Lunch Break: Light meal at a café near the museum (recommend 200TEA&COFFEE for free stamp collection)

Afternoon (Themed Museum + Pedestrian Street)

2:00 PM: Zhongshan Radio Museum → 3:00 PM: Walk to Xiangshan Commercial Culture Museum → 4:00 PM: Explore and dine on Sunwen West Road Pedestrian Street → 5:00 PM: End the trip

✅ Tips: There are often special exhibitions on the B1 floor of the main hall, and the rooftop sky garden offers a panoramic view of the garden – don’t miss them!

4. Must-See Exhibits & Photo Spots

5. Convenient Services & Notes

• Guide Services: Free official tours are available at 10:00 AM/2:30 PM (main hall) and 11:10 AM/3:40 PM (Overseas Chinese Museum). You can also search for the “Zhongshan Museum” mini-program on WeChat for electronic guides
• Convenient Facilities: Luggage storage, stroller/wheelchair rental, hot water, mother-and-baby rooms, and medical rooms are provided with complete barrier-free facilities
• Photography Rules: No flash photography indoors; free photography is allowed in the garden area. Silhouette photos in front of the lacquer mural are highly recommended for a storytelling effect

🍜 Local Flavors Nearby: A Feast for the Taste Buds After the Visit

1. Featured Cuisine

• Shiqi Pigeon: Try the time-honored restaurant at No. 36 Kanghua Road. The crispy-skinned and tender “young pigeon” served with sand ginger sauce is a must-try
• Zhongshan Herbal Tea: Visit the traditional herbal tea shop beside the pedestrian street and taste Shaxi Herbal Tea to refresh yourself after a hearty meal
• Light Meal Recommendations: Braised pork rib noodles at WX NOODLES+; Basque cheesecake at Zhongchen Coffee (the retro environment is perfect for resting)

2. Cultural and Creative Products & Check-In Activities

• Stamp Collection: 200TEA&COFFEE and Sixi Coffee Company offer museum-themed stamps – bring your own notebook!
• Cultural and Creative Purchases: The main hall’s cultural and creative store sells radio models and overseas Chinese remittance-themed postcards with great cost performance
• Nightlife Extension: DIRTY PUB (a dark-style craft beer bar) features rock live performances at night, suitable for young travelers

✨ Conclusion: More Than a Visit – A Dialogue with Time

The most touching part of Zhongshan Museum is that it is not only a showcase of cultural relics but also a carrier of the city’s spirit. From the labor of ancestors by the Lingdingyang, to the perseverance of overseas Chinese venturing into the world, and the pioneering efforts in the industrial and commercial fields, every period of history tells the story of the Xiangshan spirit of “Daring to Be the First”. The integration of ancient and modern architectures in the garden and the daily life vibe of the pedestrian street make this history no longer distant.

Whether it’s a family trip, a cultural exploration, or a retro check-in, this place is worth spending a whole day savoring. Remember to wear comfortable shoes before departure – every step may lead you into a dusty era!