I went straight for the Nanjing Museum's most treasured artifacts.

### [Deep Exploration of Nanjing Museum] A Journey Through Time: Dialogue Between Treasured Artifacts and Ancient Giants **Opening: Pushing Open the Doors of History and Mythology** The Nanjing Museum, a hall that bears the misty rain of the Six Dynasties, not only holds the thousand-year-old cultural context of Jinling City but also instantly transports people through time with the mysterious legend of the "First Dragon of China" and the majestic figures of Jurassic overlords. Avoiding the crowded Republic of China Pavilion, I chose a less-traveled path—a dialogue with the museum's most treasured artifacts, gazing at the ancient starry sky beneath dinosaur skeletons. --- ### **I. Treasured Artifacts: Deciphering the Millennia-Old Civilization** Each of the 18 treasured artifacts of the Nanjing Museum is a "living fossil" of Chinese civilization. If you want to avoid the usual route, these are must-sees: 1. **Golden Cicada on Jade Leaf (Ming Dynasty)** - A golden cicada perches on a lustrous jade leaf, its wings spread as if about to take flight. The interplay of gold and jade showcases the exquisite craftsmanship of Ming Dynasty artisans. This hair ornament is not only a symbol of aristocratic aesthetics but also implies the auspicious meaning of "golden branch and jade leaf," representing the pinnacle of Oriental aesthetics. 2. **Jade Burial Suit with Silver Thread (Eastern Han Dynasty)** - A "garment of immortality" woven from over 2,600 pieces of Hetian jade and silver thread. The edges of the jade pieces are polished like mirrors, a feat difficult to replicate even with modern laser technology. The ancients believed it could lock in the soul. Standing before it, one can almost hear the whispers of the Eastern Han Dynasty nobles' views on life and death. 3. **Brick Painting of the Seven Sages of the Bamboo Grove and Rong Qiqi (Southern Dynasties)** - A "Wei-Jin social circle" composed of over 200 tomb bricks. Ji Kang's aloofness while playing the qin, Ruan Ji's unrestrained drunkenness—even the textures of their clothing folds are clearly visible. The most intriguing part is the inclusion of Rong Qiqi, a hermit from the Spring and Autumn Period, whose "philosophy of three joys" remains a remedy for anxiety to this day. 4. **Kunyu Wanguo Quantu (Complete Map of the Myriad Countries of the World) (Ming Dynasty)** - A world map drawn by Matteo Ricci places China at the center, with the coordinates of Nanjing having an error of only 3 degrees! The ancients' understanding of the world 400 years ago far exceeded our imagination, making it a "Ming Dynasty GPS." **Tips**: On the second floor of the History Pavilion, in the Jade Hall, don't miss the intricate patterns of the Warring States Period bronze pot inlaid with gold and silver. The beast faces and cloud patterns embedded on the pot reveal the cosmology of pre-Qin Dynasty artisans. --- ### **II. Age of Dinosaurs: A Life-or-Death Showdown of Jurassic Overlords** The dinosaur exhibition at the Nanjing Museum is not a simple display like a children's play area, but an immersive theater of scientific archaeology: - **Yangchuanosaurus vs. Shunosaurus**: The 8-meter-tall Yangchuanosaurus skeleton in the center of the exhibition hall bears cracks on its scapula, revealing a battle across time—the Late Jurassic Shunosaurus is displayed alongside the Middle Jurassic Yangchuanosaurus. Scientists speculate that this is an epic misunderstanding caused by geological movements. - **480-Million-Year-Old Crinoid Fossils**: Don't be fooled by its lotus-like, jade-like appearance! This "ice flower" was actually a top predator in the ancient oceans, its barbed tentacles turning countless creatures into its meals. - **Immersive Interaction**: In the "Brave Zone," the sudden roar of dinosaurs will make your hair stand on end (it's recommended to record your friends' reactions for some funny emojis). The fossil puzzle game on the touchscreen allows you to reconstruct a Shunosaurus skull with your own hands. --- ### **III. Hidden Routes: Secrets to Avoiding the Crowds** 1. **Treasured Artifacts in the Morning Light** Head straight to the top floor of the History Pavilion upon opening. Enjoy the majesty of the Golden Beast (a 9 kg Western Han Dynasty gold-cast beast) while it's less crowded. Sunlight streams through the dome onto the beast, the shimmering light of 9,000 grams of gold taking your breath away. 2. **An Archaeological Perspective of the Dinosaur Hall in the Afternoon** Crouch down and observe the teeth marks on the Yangchuanosaurus skeleton, imagining the moment it tore into its prey 160 million years ago. The clusters of dinosaur egg fossils in the display cases hold the last vestiges of life before the Cretaceous-Paleogene extinction event. 3. **A Journey Through Time Before Closing** Return to the Republic of China Pavilion around 5 pm. With the crowds dispersed, under the dim yellow lights of the old train station, you can almost hear the cries of newspaper vendors from the Republican era—but please resist the urge to take photos and let your eyes savor this moment. --- ### **Conclusion: The Ultimate Romance of the Museum** Here, a piece of jade offers a glimpse into the immortality obsession of Han Dynasty nobles, and a dinosaur tooth mark hides the code of species survival. While modern people use QR codes to listen to explanations, why not learn from Rong Qiqi's wisdom of the "three joys"? History is never far away; it is in the form of cultural relics, engaging in a dialogue across millennia with every visitor who pauses to appreciate it. **Practical Tips** - Special Exhibition Recommendation: "The World of the Great Ming" special exhibition from January to July 2025, featuring 400 artifacts that weave together the magnificent epic of Zheng He's voyages. - Bonus Activity: Use AR technology in the Digital Pavilion to "resurrect" the *Kunyu Wanguo Quantu* and see how Ming Dynasty Nanjing connected with the world. This journal entry is inspired by an in-depth interpretation of the treasured artifacts and an archaeological perspective of the dinosaur exhibition, going beyond typical tourist snapshots to reveal the epic of civilization behind the artifacts.