Ezhou Museum

Ezhou Museum
鄂州市博物馆

Address: No 7 Hanxi Lu, Echeng district, Ezhou, Hubei province
Opening hours: 9 am - 5 pm (Last entry 4 pm)
Closed Mondays (except for national holidays)
General admission: Free admission with valid ID card
Tel: (+86 027) 53018780

Ezhou, the ancient city of Wuchang, a small yet historically significant city in Hubei province, is known as the origin of Three Kingdoms culture and the hometown of ancient bronze mirrors.

This city once functioned as a secondary capital for the State of Chu in the Zhou Dynasty (c. 11th century-256 BC) and later as a primary capital and one of the most prosperous cities of the Kingdom of Wu (222-280) during the Three Kingdoms period (220-280). Its vibrant and diverse cultural heritage is showcased in a comprehensive display at the Ezhou Museum.

The museum currently houses 80,154 cultural relics, featuring bronzes, pottery, ceramics, and artifacts of Three Kingdoms culture and ancient Chu culture, with the bronze mirrors being the most notable treasure.

One permanent exhibition highlights the long history of human habitation and Ezhou’s rule under changing jurisdictions including county, state and capital throughout past dynasties.

The special exhibition on the Kingdom of Wu during the Three Kingdoms period details its economic development, military expansion, and diplomatic efforts, highlighting its initial capital status and subsequent role as an auxiliary capital after the move of the capital to Nanjing.

Blending sculptures, scenic displays and modern technologies, the special display of ancient bronze mirrors showcases over 300 exquisite bronze mirrors excavated in Ezhou, offering a thorough understanding of the historical development, the ancient metallurgical techniques and modern replication methods.