Suzhou Museum West Pavilion｜Is it still necessary to visit the West Pavilion if you've been to the main pavilion?

Compared to the main pavilion nestled in a Suzhou-style garden, the West Pavilion, with its robust style, does seem a bit ordinary. But after touring it with some prejudice, I can only say it was totally worth it! If you, like me, want to take a glance at Suzhou's historical and cultural heritage, then the West Pavilion is definitely the best choice. 【Ticket Information】 Free and no reservation required! (Compared to the main pavilion which is always fully booked, this is amazing) 🕙 Opening Hours: Tuesday to Sunday 9:00-17:00 (Note: Entry stops at 16:00, so visit early!) 📝 Tips: The air conditioning in the West Pavilion is too cold! Please bring a jacket and a thermos if you are sensitive to cold! ⏳ Visiting Time: Quick tour: 1-2 hours In-depth tour: 4-6 hours 🚉 Transportation Guide: Get off at Shizishan Station on Suzhou Metro Line 1 or Line 3 【About Suzhou Museum West Pavilion】 The West Pavilion has a building area of nearly 50,000 square meters, with an exhibition area of 13,000 square meters, and over 2,000 pieces/sets of cultural relics (don't think it's too few, it's definitely enough to see) It is divided into several exhibition halls: Suzhou History Exhibition, Suzhou Craftsmanship Hall, Calligraphy and Painting Hall, International Cooperation Hall, Suzhou Life Hall, and Exploration Experience Hall. 【About the Exhibitions】 1. Suzhou History Exhibition (Pure Jiangnan) (1st floor) The exhibition is divided into four parts according to the timeline, showing the ten-thousand-year transformation of Suzhou from a barren land to a paradise on earth. Wu Zixu, who turned gray overnight, was its founder, and Emperor Wen of Sui, Yang Jian, renamed it Suzhou. This gentle water town was also once brave and martial; Xiang Yu, the Overlord of Western Chu, once raised an army here against the Qin. The private gardens built by frustrated officials to express their sorrow for the passing seasons have also earned Suzhou gardens the reputation of being the best in the world. 👍 Most Recommended: Sword of King Wu Yuzhi: The bronze sword with the most inscriptions in existence, not only recording the succession of the Wu kingdom but also correcting historical errors in the "Spring and Autumn Annals." (Picture 3) Jun Kiln Three-legged Basin with Drum Nails: The largest pen wash from the Song Dynasty, well-preserved. (Picture 4) Jade Burial Ornaments: From the tomb of a Wu king over two thousand years ago during the Spring and Autumn period, possibly an early form of the jade burial suits of the Han Dynasty, though not as magnificent. (Picture 5) 2. Suzhou Craftsmanship Hall (Suzhou Craftsmanship) (2nd floor) It is said that Suzhou gardens are the best in the world, and Suzhou craftsmanship is also unparalleled. The Suzhou Craftsmanship exhibition includes a wide variety of items: carvings (jade carving/ivory carving/bamboo carving/wood carving/lacquer carving/inkstone carving/stone carving), gold and silverware, ethnic musical instruments, clay sculptures, fan surfaces, and plain brocade. Looking at these exquisite small items, I finally understand why Cao Xueqin called Suzhou "the most affluent and elegant place in the world." 👍 Most Recommended: Huanghuali Dragon-pattern Twelve-panel Screen: Huge in size but not lacking in delicacy, serving both practical and aesthetic purposes. (Picture 6) Clay Sculpture Miniatures: Small clay figurines performing wonderful scenes from traditional Chinese opera. (Picture 7) Miniature Musical Instruments: 24 miniature instruments, though I couldn't recognize them all, they look particularly beautiful and cute when displayed together. (Picture 8) 3. International Cooperation Hall (2nd floor) Allows you to appreciate world civilizations without leaving the country. The exhibitions in this hall are not permanent. When I visited, there was a special exhibition of ancient Greek artifacts from the British Museum. 4. Calligraphy and Painting Hall (3rd floor) Although the exhibition features modern Suzhou embroidery works, the artists' exquisite skills still leave visitors in awe. 👍 Most Recommended: "Portrait of a Grape Girl": If it weren't in the Suzhou embroidery section, I would have thought it was a sketch. (Picture 9) "Double Cats": Two lifelike kittens, if not told they were embroidered, I would have thought they were taxidermy. (Picture 10) Due to time constraints, I couldn't visit the Suzhou Life Hall and the Exploration Experience Hall, but this gives me a reason to return to Suzhou. After a tour, although the West Pavilion lacks the gentle exterior, it has elegant displays. It may not have as many collections as the main pavilion, but it allowed me to see the rise and prosperity of the first heroic state in Jiangnan through thousands of years of history. I'm just glad I came!