Aksu Regional Museum of China: The Gateway to History and Culture

The Aksu Regional Museum, located on the banks of the Duolang River in Aksu city, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region of China, was completed and opened to visitors in 2017. The museum, which has four floors including the Aksu History and Culture Department, Aksu Natural Geography Department, Xinjiang Ancient Coins Hall, and the Chinese Communist Party Exhibition Hall, hosts more than 10,000 artifacts.

The exterior design of the museum emphasizes the charm of the Han and Tang Dynasties, highlighting local features. Covering an area of 18,000 square meters, the museum consists of three permanent exhibition halls. The petrified tree artifact located at the entrance of the museum captivates visitors.

"THE JAR WITH THE LARGEST CIRCUMFERENCE FOUND"

Among the artifacts, the most striking is a red pottery jar from the Tang Dynasty, discovered in 1976 in Gongbaizi Village, Wensu County. The jar, which is 135 meters tall, has a diameter of 45 and a circumference of 420 centimeters, was shaped using the clay strip wrapping method and fired at high temperatures. It is said to be a thousand years old and was used for storing food. It is considered the artifact with the largest circumference among the ancient pottery jars discovered in Xinjiang to date.

MOST OF THE ARTIFACTS WERE LOCALLY EXCAVATED

The museum features a comprehensive collection that integrates history, nature, art, and folklore culture. With free admission, the museum houses more than 10,000 artifacts, mostly locally excavated, spanning from the Han Dynasty, Wei, Jin, Southern and Northern Dynasties, Sui, and Northern Dynasties, passed down from ancient times.

Among the prominent artifacts in the museum are ceramic vases, plates, jars, silver jewelry, Buddha statues, ancient burial models, pottery containers, large pottery jars, coins, and gold coins.

In the Aksu History and Culture Department, various cultural relics from different historical periods, primarily from the Tongfa ancient excavations and field collections, are exhibited.

BYZANTINE COINS AND CURRENCY CAN ALSO BE SEEN IN THE MUSEUM

In the Xinjiang Ancient Coins Hall, numerous circulating coins created in Xinjiang during different periods according to the central currency system are exhibited. Additionally, Byzantine coins and currency can also be seen in the museum.

The Aksu Natural Geography Department comprehensively covers the geological landforms and rich natural resources of Aksu.

The Chinese Communist Party Exhibition Hall contains works aimed at opening a new path for the people across the country for the Chinese revolution, overthrowing the dominance of imperialism, feudalism, and bureaucratic capitalism, and exploring the socialist path.