Sponsored by Bank of China (Hong Kong), the exhibition explores the origins, formation, and development of the splendid Chinese civilisation. It features nearly 110 treasures from the Neolithic period to the Xia dynasty spanning over 4,000 years from 14 major cultural institutions.
In celebration of the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, the Hong Kong Palace Museum (HKPM or the Museum) is proud to announce the new special exhibition: Bank of China (Hong Kong) Presents: “The Origins of Chinese Civilisation”, which will be open to the public from 25 September 2024 through 7 February 2025. The exhibition is jointly organised by the HKPM and Art Exhibitions China, and sponsored by Bank of China (Hong Kong), the Museum’s strategic partner.
Highlighting the astounding achievements of the “Origins of Chinese Civilisation Project” through its empirical evidence for the history of 5,000-year Chinese civilisation
As one of the world’s four great civilisations, Chinese civilisation is extensive and profound, boasting a long history stretching back to antiquity. It remains the only ancient civilisation in the world that has continuously developed up to the present day. In 2002, China launched the “Origins of Chinese Civilisation Project”, a national-level research project to trace the origins of Chinese civilisation and has confirmed a remarkable cultural continuum evincing “diversity in unity” and ongoing development over the course of more than 5,000 years. This highly anticipated exhibition at the HKPM highlights the achievements of two decades of comprehensive research, which involved large-scale archaeological surveys and in-depth investigations into the origins, formation, and development of Chinese civilisation.
Following the inaugural exhibition, “Gazing at Sanxingdui: New Archaeological Discoveries in Sichuan” on view in 2023 and 2024 which showcased 120 bronze, jade, gold, and pottery objects from 4,500 to 2,600 years ago, “The Origins of Chinese Civilisation” is the second in the HKPM’s special exhibition series with the theme of “The Origins and Development of Chinese Civilisation”, which underscores the origins, continuity, inclusiveness, and unity that define the enduring legacy of Chinese civilisation.
Featuring nearly 110 precious objects from 14 major cultural institutions, including 16 grade-one national treasures
With substantial support from National Cultural Heritage Administration and a group of leading archaeological institutions and museums in China, “The Origins of Chinese Civilisation” provides one of the most comprehensive overviews of the origins of Chinese civilisation in recent years. With new historical and cultural insights, this exhibition is divided into three sections, with each presenting the origins, formation, and development of Chinese civilisation respectively. It features around 110 rare archaeological finds and significant treasures on loan from 14 major cultural institutions in Hong Kong and the Mainland, including 16 grade-one national treasures. These spectacular loans represent nine archaeological cultures and nine major archaeological sites across the country. They come from a variety of regions, including Beijing, Gansu, Liaoning, Anhui, Zhejiang, Shandong, Hubei, Shanxi, Shaanxi, Henan, and Hong Kong. Nearly all the loans are displayed in Hong Kong for the first time.
The treasures on display include ceramics, jades, stone sculptures, bone objects, bronze objects, and more, dating back to the mid-to-late Neolithic period and up to the Xia dynasty, spanning the period from approximately 8,200 to 3,500 years before the present (BP). Highlights include 16 grade-one national treasures such as a cloud-shaped jade plaque from the Hongshan culture (6,500–5,000 BP), a jade cong-tube from the Liangzhu culture (5,300–4,300 BP), a jade ring with cicada from the Dawenkou culture (5,200–4,300 BP), a jade tiger from the Post-Shijiahe culture (4,200–3,800 BP), a bronze jia-vessel from the Erlitou culture (3,800–3,500 BP). In addition, a jar with plant motifs from the Yangshao culture (7,000–5,000 BP), a jade dragon from the Hongshan culture (6,500–5,000 BP), which is believed to be one of the earliest objects with the image of dragon in China, a drum from the Taosi culture (4,300–3,900 BP), and a stone sculpture from the Shimao archaeological site (4,300–3,800 BP) in Shaanxi province, will also be on display at the exhibition.
Immersive multimedia displays vividly present the crowning achievements of ancient China. Rich education offerings reveal fascinating stories behind the archaeological projects
The exhibition’s storytelling is supported by various innovative multimedia displays utilising new technologies. A key highlight is a multimedia installation that reconstructs the Shimao archaeological site, known as one of the largest prehistoric stone cities in China, and provides the audience with a transporting immersive experience. HKPM will offer robust educational programmes designed for students, families, and the general public alike. These include family archaeological workshops with hands-on experience to deepen the participants’ understanding of various aspects of archaeological work and rich cultural heritage of China. In addition, the Museum will invite leading experts to share their knowledge and insights at public lectures on topics such as the origins of Chinese civilisation and the latest advances in Chinese archaeology. Please refer to the HKPM website for more information.
Bank of China (Hong Kong) Presents: “The Origins of Chinese Civilisation” will be open to the public from 25 September 2024 to 7 February 2025 in Gallery 8 of the HKPM. Tickets for this special exhibition are priced at HK$100 for adults and HK$50 for concessions* and are available for sale or reservation through the West Kowloon Cultural District’s online ticketing platforms and ticketing partners starting from 23 August. Holders of Full Access Ticket, priced at HK$180 for adults and HK$90 for concessions*, can access this exhibition, “The Adorned Body: French Fashion and Jewellery 1770–1910 from the Musée des Arts Décoratifs, Paris” in Gallery 9 as well as other thematic exhibitions (Galleries 1 to 7) on the same day. Through the special pricing, the Museum hopes to attract more Hong Kong citizens and visitors from around the world to visit the exhibition, allowing them to gain a deeper understanding of the brilliant achievements of Chinese civilisation. Please refer to the HKPM website for more information.
*Concessions are available to children aged 7 to 11, full-time students, seniors aged 60 and above, persons with disabilities (with one companion), and CSSA recipients.
Remarks
About the Hong Kong Palace Museum
The Hong Kong Palace Museum aspires to be a leading cultural institution committed to the study and appreciation of Chinese art and culture while advancing dialogue among world civilisations. The Hong Kong Palace Museum is a collaborative project between the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority and the Palace Museum. The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust made a donation of HK$3.5 billion for its establishment, as well as some of the annual exhibitions and education programmes in 2023–2031.
Embracing new curatorial approaches, the Museum offers a Hong Kong perspective and a global vision, presenting the finest objects from the Palace Museum and other important cultural institutions around the world. Through research, exhibitions, and educational and professional exchange programmes, the Museum will build international partnerships and help position Hong Kong as a global hub for art and culture. At heart a resource that belongs to the community of Hong Kong, the Museum will inspire community engagement, foster dialogue, and promote creativity and interdisciplinary collaboration.
About Art Exhibitions China
Art Exhibitions China (AEC) is a professional cultural institution established in 1971 under the direct supervision of the National Cultural Heritage Administration of the People’s Republic of China. Its main responsibilities include organising and hosting inbound and outbound exhibitions on archaeological discoveries and ancient art, fostering international collaboration and academic exchange, managing authorisation for cultural and creative development, planning cultural tourism, and conducting policy research, project implementation and think tank consultation on cultural relics. For more than half a century, AEC has undertaken a series of significant state-level exhibition projects and executed nearly 500 cultural relic exhibitions, spanning an extensive range of countries and Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan regions of China. These exhibitions have garnered 100 million viewers, positioning AEC as an important window and platform for cultural heritage exchange and cooperation between China and the world.
Exhibition Partners
Shanxi Culture Relics Bureau, Liaoning Provincial Cultural Heritage Bureau, Zhejiang Provincial Cultural Heritage Administration, Anhui Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism, Shandong Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism (Cultural Heritage Bureau of Shandong Province), Henan Provincial Administration of Cultural Heritage, Department of Culture and Tourism of Hubei Province (Hubei Provincial Cultural Heritage Administration), Shaanxi Provincial Cultural Heritage Administration, and Gansu Provincial Bureau of Culture Relics.
Exhibition Supporting Organisations
The Palace Museum, National Museum of China, Shanxi Museum, Liaoning Provincial Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology, Zhejiang Provincial Museum, Liangzhu Museum (Liangzhu Research Institute), Hanshan Museum, Shandong University Museum, Erlitou Site Museum of the Xia Capital, Hubei Provincial Museum, Jingzhou Museum, Shaanxi Cultural Heritage Promotion Center, Shaanxi Academy of Archaeology (Shaanxi Archaeological Museum) and Gansu Provincial Museum.
About the West Kowloon Cultural District (WestK)
WestK is one of the largest and most ambitious cultural projects in the world. Its vision is to create a vibrant new cultural quarter for Hong Kong on 40 hectares of reclaimed land located alongside Victoria Harbour. With a varied mix of theatres, performance spaces, and museums, WestK produces and hosts world-class exhibitions, performances, and cultural events, providing 23 hectares of public open space, including a two-kilometre waterfront promenade.
https://www.westk.hk/
