The Shaanxi History Museum, situated in the ancient capital of Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, opened its doors on June 20, 1991. It was the first large-scale modern museum established in China following the reform and opening-up policy that began in late 1978, and among the initial group of national key museums developed through a collaboration between central and local governments.
The museum houses a remarkable collection of over 1.7 million pieces (sets) of unearthed artifacts. However, due to limited exhibition space, only a fraction of these artifacts are on display, highlighting the pressing need for museum expansion.
In August 2022, the Shaanxi provincial government designated the Qin Han Museum in the Xixian New Area as a branch of the Shaanxi History Museum, renaming it the "Qin Han Museum of the Shaanxi History Museum." After nearly two years of preparation, this new hall was unveiled on May 18, 2024, serving as the main venue for the International Museum Day 2024 events in China. International Museum Day, which is observed on May 18 each year, is an annual event created in 1977 by the International Council of Museums. China officially joined the International Council of Museums in 1983 and has organized International Museum Day events every year since then.
The Qin Han Museum of the Shaanxi History Museum is the first museum in China that provides visitors with a panoramic view of the origin, development and contributions of Qin (221–206 BCE) and Han (206 BCE–220 CE) civilizations. It showcases the rich history and cultural achievements of these dynasties, offering a more nuanced understanding of China's traditional culture and historical heritage.
Innovative display showcases Qin, Han civilizations
The Qin and Han exhibitions at the museum depart from traditional chronological historical narratives. Instead, they adopt a "big history" approach connected with focused themes, exploring the Qin and Han civilizations from multiple perspectives.