Suzhou Museum has been a must-visit place among visitors coming to Suzhou. Its whole new west branch, which is still under construction, has drawn much attention so far.
Suzhou Museum updated the public on the latest orientation and exhibitions of its west branch at a press conference yesterday.
Situated on Shishan Culture Square, SND, the West Branch owns a floorage of 48,365 square meters with 13,391 square meters for exhibitions and is scheduled to be opened to public at the end of this year.
Different from Suzhou Museum, the West Branch will function as a museum-based school and mainly showcase and communicate the Jiangnan culture.
In addition to exhibition halls for Suzhou history, handicrafts, calligraphy and paintings, the new branch also has professional halls for international exchanges and exploration and experience, etc.
General History Hall
The first floor will be used as the exhibition area to showcase the development and changes in Suzhou’s history, politics, economy, culture and arts from Paleolithic period to around 1911.
Up to 1,200 pieces/sets of cultural relics, including 150 major ones, will be displayed at the General History Exhibition Hall.
Handicrafts Hall
Suzhou Handicrafts Exhibition Hall is situated on the second floor.
According to exhibition plan, 900 pieces/sets of selected Suzhou handicrafts and 180 major ones, which date back to Song (960 – 1279 AD) and Yuan (1271 – 1368 AD) dynasties, will be on display.
International Exchange Hall
Besides, there will also be a special international exhibition area on the floor.
Rome: City and Empire, an one-year exhibition set to bring together 267 pieces/sets of the British Museum’s most engaging and beautiful Roman objects, will be held as the first of its international series.
The exhibition also marks the beginning of the four-year exhibition cooperation between Suzhou Museum and British Museum, and more brilliant serial exhibitions will take place in the future.
Calligraphy and Painting Hall
Exhibitions to be held on the third floor will revolve around Suzhou calligraphy and paintings. Visitors can deepen their understanding and appreciation of local calligraphy and painting artworks.
Exploration and Experience Hall
A special exploration and experience hall that plays the role of “museum school” is situated on the Basement 1.
It will become the country’s first children’s museum set inside a local comprehensive museum and serve as the exclusive educational space for kids aged from 3 to 12 years old.
Supporting facilities
Visitors can also expect to have a pleasurable experience as the West Branch is equipped with visitor service center, cafe shop, gift shop, training room, cafeteria, and many other supporting facilities.
Let’s look forward to the opening of Suzhou Museum West Branch!