Have a date with history and cultural relics.

Henan Museum Visiting Guide: A Comprehensive Look at the Museum's Treasures The Henan Museum is an excellent window into the history and culture of Henan. It boasts a rich collection of cultural relics, spanning from prehistory to the Ming and Qing dynasties, each imbued with profound historical significance. Below is a detailed guide to help you easily appreciate the charm of the Henan Museum. I. Reservation Guide • Reservation Time: Reservations can be made 5 days in advance. Tickets are released daily at 5:00 pm. Be sure to set an alarm, especially during peak seasons such as holidays, as tickets are in high demand and require early preparation. • Reservation Methods: Reservations can be made through the Henan Museum's official WeChat public account, official website, and other channels. Follow the prompts to fill in your personal information, select the date and time slot for your visit. A single WeChat account can reserve up to 3 tickets. Children without ID cards should reserve parent-child tickets, and adults' ID cards will be scanned upon entry. • Important Notes: Save the reservation information received via SMS or WeChat push notification after successful reservation. Bring your ID card for the visit and enter the museum with your ID card and reservation information. If you are unable to visit as planned, cancel the reservation in a timely manner to avoid affecting others. II. Opening Hours Open from Tuesday to Sunday. Summer hours (generally summer): 9:00 am - 5:30 pm. Winter hours (generally winter): 9:00 am - 5:00 pm. Reservations close 1 hour before closing time. Closed every Monday (except national holidays). Extended opening hours during special holidays such as Lunar New Year. For example, from January 29 (Lunar New Year's Day) to February 4 (the seventh day of Lunar New Year) in 2025, the opening hours are 9:00 am - 6:00 pm, and the last entry time is extended to 5:00 pm. III. Transportation Guide • Subway: Take Subway Line 2 to Guan Hutun Station, Exit C, and walk about 1.2 km. • Bus: Several bus routes are available. For example, take Bus B11 or B18 to the Museum Station (BRT station) and walk about 200m. IV. Visiting Route (Taking the Nine Treasures as an Example) 1. First Floor, Gallery 1: Jiahu Bone Flute, a Neolithic relic dating back approximately 7,800-9,000 years. It is the oldest musical instrument discovered in China and the earliest playable instrument in the world. Made from the ulna of a red-crowned crane, it can play tunes similar to a seven-tone scale. 2. First Floor, Gallery 2: Duling Square Ding, an early Shang Dynasty bronze ware. It is the earliest, largest, perfectly cast, and completely preserved bronze heavy vessel discovered in China; Fu Hao Owl Zun, a late Shang Dynasty bronze ware. It has a unique owl-shaped design and is the earliest bird-shaped bronze zun discovered in China. 3. First Floor, Gallery 3: Jade-handled Iron Sword, a late Western Zhou Dynasty relic. The sword is made of iron with a jade handle, pushing back the history of iron smelting in China to 2,800 years ago. 4. First Floor, Gallery 4: Lianhe Fang Hu, a bronze wine vessel unearthed in Xinzheng in 1923. The lid is decorated with double-layered lotus petals, and a crane in the center appears ready to take flight. Its design and craftsmanship showcase the superb skills and unique aesthetics of the Spring and Autumn period. 5. Second Floor, Gallery 5: Four Gods and Clouds Mural, the earliest tomb mural in China, predating the Dunhuang murals by over 600 years. It depicts the four mythical creatures: Azure Dragon, White Tiger, Vermilion Bird, and Black Tortoise, along with clouds and other patterns, in vibrant colors and flowing lines. 6. Second Floor, Gallery 7: Wu Zetian Gold Scroll, the only existing relic belonging to Wu Zetian. Inscribed with text, it is a testament to Wu Zetian's prayers for longevity and national peace and prosperity, holding significant value for the study of the history and religious culture of her era. 7. Third Floor, Gallery 10: Ru Ware Sky-blue Glazed Carved Goose-neck Vase, a late Northern Song Dynasty porcelain piece. It is the only existing sky-blue glazed Ru ware with carved designs. Its elegant shape, warm glaze, and exquisite carving make it a rare treasure. 8. Fourth Floor, Gallery 13: Cloud Pattern Bronze Jin, an ancient table for holding wine vessels. It is one of the first 64 cultural relics prohibited from being exhibited abroad. Cast using the lost-wax method, it reflects the ancient ritual system and high level of craftsmanship. V. Guided Tour Services • Volunteer Guides: Available at fixed times, varying by gallery. Check the on-site schedule for the day. • Official Guides: Group tours can be arranged on-site, lasting approximately 1.5 hrs. • Audio Guide Rental: Rental fee is 30 yuan. • AI Glasses Rental: Offers a more intelligent guided tour experience. • Unofficial Guides: Tours last 2-3.5 hrs, with the option to book a 3.5-hour in-depth tour at a slightly higher price. During off-season, unofficial group tours are often available at the museum entrance (50 yuan/person, 2 hrs including treasures + popular artifacts). VI. Other Important Notes • Photography Rules: Photography is generally allowed, but flash photography and tripods are prohibited to avoid damaging the artifacts. • Food and Beverage: There is a restaurant inside the museum offering light meals and drinks. However, eating inside the exhibition halls is discouraged to protect the artifacts and the environment. • Cultural and Creative Products: Available for purchase at the exit on the first floor and in the hall on the third floor. You can also buy them online. Stamps are available at the Cultural and Creative store on the first floor, Zhuozhen Coffee on the second floor, and the Time Post Office on the third floor. You can bring your own notebook or purchase a "National Treasure" notebook. • Luggage Storage: The museum provides luggage storage services for both large and small items.