Overview

To celebrate the 20th anniversary of Macao's return to China, the Macao Museum, under the Cultural Affairs Bureau, and the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region Museum have jointly organized the "Ancient Memories of the Silk Road – Special Exhibition of Western Xia Cultural Relics." The exhibition is part of the "Art Macao" series and will open on June 14 (Friday) at 6:30 PM at the Macao Museum.

Exhibition Highlights

• Theme: The exhibition focuses on Western Xia (Xi Xia) cultural relics, showcasing archaeological discoveries from the Western Xia period.
• Exhibits: Features 148 carefully selected artifacts/sets, many displayed outside the Ningxia region for the first time.
• Cultural Insights: Explores the unique and brilliant culture of Western Xia through its writing system, Buddhism, craftsmanship (gold, wood, glazed pottery), and architecture (eaves tiles, stone carvings).
• Historical Context: Highlights Western Xia's role as a crucial part of Silk Road culture, offering insights into the historical background and contemporary significance of the "Belt and Road" initiative.

Historical Background

The Western Xia kingdom was founded in 1038 AD along the Silk Road. At its peak, its territory spanned present-day Ningxia, parts of Gansu, Qinghai, Inner Mongolia, and Shaanxi. It coexisted with the Northern Song and Liao dynasties initially, and later with the Southern Song and Jin dynasties, lasting 190 years under ten rulers. Its once-flourishing culture was lost to history until the 20th century, when numerous documents and artifacts were rediscovered.

Visitor Information

• Exhibition Period: June 14 – October 6, 2019.
• Opening Hours: 10:00–18:00 (last admission at 17:30). Closed on Mondays.
• Free Admission Days: Every Tuesday and the 15th of each month. Free admission for Macao ID card holders.
• Additional Activities: An education zone and workshops are available during the exhibition period.
• Contact: For inquiries, call 2835 7911 during office hours or visit www.macaumuseum.gov.mo.