Cradle of the Zhou: Discovering the Ancient Wonders of Qingyang Museum

A Living Encyclopedia of the Loess Plateau

1.Situated in the Xifeng District of Qingyang: City, Gansu, the Qingyang Museum is a majestic landmark that serves as the spiritual and cultural heart of the Longdong region. As a National Grade I Museum, it manages over 80,000 artifacts that chronicle the vast history of the Loess Plateau, from prehistoric biological evolution to the dawn of Chinese dynastic civilization. The museum’s architecture, characterized by its steady and grand design, reflects the profound heritage of a region often called the "Old State of Zhou".

The Ancestral Home of Zhou Culture

The museum’s most significant theme is the origin of the Zhou culture. According to historical records, the ancestor of the Zhou people, Gong Liu, led his tribe to this fertile land to develop dry-land agriculture nearly 4,000 years ago. The museum houses a vast collection of early Zhou pottery, stone tools, and bronze wares that establish Qingyang as a primary birthplace of Chinese farming civilization. Visitors can explore the "Old State of Zhou" exhibit, which brings to life the arduous journey and agricultural innovations of China’s early ancestors.

Prehistoric Giants and Biological Wonders

One of the museum's most breathtaking displays is its paleontological collection. In 1973, a remarkably complete fossil of the Yellow River Ancient Elephant (Stegodon huanghoensis) was discovered in Heshui County, Qingyang. Standing as one of the largest and best-preserved elephant fossils in the world, it provides a window into the lush, tropical environment that once existed on the plateau millions of years ago. The prehistoric exhibit also features "Three-toed Horse" fossils and other ancient biological remains that highlight the region's unique geological history.

Buddhist Art and Vibrant Folk Traditions

2.The cultural depth of: Qingyang is further illustrated through its Buddhist Grotto Art and folk heritage. The museum contains detailed replicas and artifacts from the Beishiku Temple, showcasing the elegant and robust sculpting style of the Northern Wei and Tang dynasties. Beyond religious art, the museum celebrates the "Five Treasures of Qingyang Folk Art"—shadow puppetry, paper cutting, embroidery, clay sculpture, and folk painting. These exhibits demonstrate how the local people have integrated their spiritual beliefs and daily lives into a unique form of "Highland Aesthetics" for millennia.