China National Silk Museum [Photo/ct.zj.gov.cn]

Opening Hours: Tuesday to Sunday: 09:00-17:00; Monday: 12:00 - 17:00

Admission Fee: Free

Tel: +86-571-87035150

Address: No 73-1 Yuhuangshan Road, Hangzhou, Zhejiang province

Introduction:

Located on the south bank of West Lake, China National Silk Museum is the first national museum specializing in silk and is also the largest silk museum in the world, covering an area of 10,000 square meters. It opened to the public in 1992 and admission has been free since 2004.

The museum consists of eight exhibition halls, aiming to show the history and development of Chinese silk from the Neolithic Age to the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), as well as some present-day products. Artifacts from the three ancient Silk Roads through the desert, sea and land are also on display.

The museum is a good combination of culture, tourism and trade. Equipped with modern facilities, free booklets providing information about silk and audio-visual guides about all the processes with pictures and videos, the China National Silk Museum gives visitors a vivid foundation in silk production. In addition, the underground museum store sells large numbers of silk goods to museum visitors. Teahouses attached to the museum provide a place to relax and unwind.

A silk umbrella [Photo/ct.zj.gov.cn]