Chongqing Three Gorges Museum: The Amazing History and Culture Along Yangtze River

Written by Veronica | Updated March 10,2026

Chongqing China Three Gorges Museum, or Three Gorges Dam Museum, is a comprehensive museum of Chongqing history and art, especially those of Ba-Yu culture and Sanxia culture. Learn about the history of southwest China on your Chongqing tour.

Originally established in 1951, the Three Gorges Museum Chongqing was formerly the Southwest Museum. It was renamed Chongqing Museum in 1955, and in 2000, in order to undertake the recovery, exhibition, and research work of the many precious cultural relics found in the Sanxia region, the Three Gorges Museum was established.

 

Fast Facts about Three Gorges Museum

• Name in Chinese: 重庆中国三峡博物馆
• Opening Hours: 9 am- 5 pm, last entry at 4:00 pm; closed on Mondays
• Address: No. 236 Renmin Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing
• Tickets: Free but you have to register online
• Best Time to Visit: All year round
• Recommended Visit Time: 2-3 hours
• Suited to: Fans of Chongqing local history and art

Three Gorges Museum: Overview and Architecture

At present, across 23 categories, Three Gorges Museum has more than 115 thousand sets of cultural relics and 18,000 rare books in its collection. The collection includes early human specimens, Three Gorges cultural relics, Ba-Yu bronze ware, Han Dynasty artefacts, southwest ethnic cultural relics, anti-Japanese period artefacts, porcelain, paintings and calligraphy, and early musical instruments.

Three Gorges Museum has 10 permanent exhibitions, temporary exhibitions, the Three Gorges circular-screen film, and other informative, interactive installments.

Together with Chongqing People’s Square and the People’s Hall, the Three Gorges Museum is part of the “trinity” that is an iconic landmark of Chongqing. The circular dome of the main hall is like a plate catching the rains and dews from the sky. The exterior walls are constructed with blue glass and sandstones, symbolizing the waters and mountains of Chongqing.

Popular Chongqing tours with Three Gorges Museum

• 5 Days Chongqing Yangtze River Cruise Tour with Wulong
• 2 Days Chongqing Tour with Dazu Rock Carvings

Three Gorges Museum Exhibitions

The 10 permanent exhibitions at Three Gorges Museum include “Marvelous Three Gorges,” “Ancient Ba-Yu,” “Chongqing: Journey to Urbanization,” “Anti-Japanese War Period,” “Han Dynasty Sculpture Art,” “Antique Porcelain,” “Paintings and Calligraphy,” “Historic Coins and Notes,” “Southwest Folk Cultures,” and “Collection of Li Chuli.” There are also about 20 to 30 temporary exhibitions each year.

1. Marvelous Three Gorges

The “Marvelous Three Gorges” exhibition has four sections that showcase the Yangtze River and the formation of the three gorges, the climate, plants and animals, life, and history of the region, as well as the Three Gorges Water Conservancy Project.

You’ll see a large number of artefacts and materials in the Three Gorges area and learn about life along the Yangtze River. Get the most out of your trip by considering a Yangtze River cruise tour.

2. Ancient Ba-Yu

The “Ancient Ba-Yu” exhibition displays artefacts unearthed in the region from the Paleolithic, Neolithic, and Bronze Age. Learn about the origin and development of Ba-Yu culture.

3. Chongqing: Journey to Urbanization

“Chongqing: Journey to Urbanization” showcases the course of Chongqing’s modernization in the 20th century with five thematic sections, “Urban Change,” “Trade and Finance,” “Industrial Rise,” “City of Heroes,” and “Landscape of Direct-Administered Municipality.”

4. Anti-Japanese War Period

The “Anti-Japanese War Period” exhibition is divided into five parts, “Wartime Capital,” “United Front Stage,” “Fortress of the East,” “Unyielding City,” and “Victory Capital.” During the Anti-Japanese War, Chongqing, as the wartime capital of China, took the important political centerstage and made tremendous contributions to the victory of the Anti-Japanese War and World Anti-Fascist war.

Other Exhibitions

The rest of the exhibitions at Three Gorges Museum are equally amazing. You’ll see ingenious Han sculpture art, beautiful porcelains, ancient Chinese paintings and calligraphy of different styles and by famous artists, an interesting history of Chinese coins and notes, life and customs of southwest cultures in China.

Related reading: Top 15 Things to Do in Chongqing

How to Get to Three Gorges Museum

By Flight: Fly into Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport. Then take the metro, a bus, or a taxi to the Three Gorges Museum.

By Train: Chongqing Railway Station is very close to the museum. From there you can take a taxi to the museum for a low fare.

By Metro: Take Line 2 to the Zeng Jia Yan stop. Then it’s a short walk to the Three Gorges Museum. Or take Line 3 to Niu Jiao Tuo stop. Then walk for about 1km (0.6 miles) to the museum.

By Bus: Take Buses No. 145, 152, 181, 262, 322, 338, 829, 862, or 881 to Xue Tian Wan stop. Then it’s about a five-minute walk from the Three Gorges Museum. Or take Buses No. 145, 152, 181, 262, 322, 338, 421, 457, 829, 862, 881, Sight Seeing Bus No. 480, or Airport Line No. k01 to Da Li Tang stop. It’s also about a five-minute walk from the museum.

By Taxi: Three Gorges Museum is in Chongqing city center, so you can take a taxi there from pretty much wherever you are in the city.

Chongqing Three Gorges Museum Travel Tips

• Guide: The audio guide is CNY 20 with explanations in English, Korean, Japanese, French and Spanish. Besides, there are English tour guides at a cost of CNY 150 – 300. The multilingual service counter in the first-floor lobby offers the service and also multilingual guidebooks.
• Passport: Please be sure to bring the original passport. Electronic versions or photos may not be accepted.
• Luggage Deposit: Near the security check area, there are both lockers and storage areas for tourists to deposit their luggage. It is recommended to store large items such as suitcases to enjoy the museum tour comfortably and prevent damage to exhibits.
• Language: There are both Chinese and English signs on the elevators, restrooms, drinking water points, reception centers, rest areas, etc. Major exhibitions also have English explanations.
• Food: Drinks and food are not allowed in the museum to protect the collections.

Attractions Nearby Three Gorges Museum

Chongqing People’s Square and the People’s Hall are right across from the Three Gorges Museum. The three structures together form a famous landmark of Chongqing. Admire their architecture. It’s a great spot for a photoshoot.

Lizaba Station is another famous wonder to witness and experience when you travel to Chongqing. Take metro Line 2 to see the light-rail train that goes through a building.

Explore Three Gorges Museum with China Xian Tour

Do you want to enjoy an in-depth tour instead of merely watching the cultural relics? It is recommended to join a tour group. Our knowledgeable local guide can introduce the Bayu Culture and the history of the Three Gorges for you in detail to ensure your tour is worthwhile. Besides, we are experienced in tailoring trips based on tourists’ needs. No matter whether you want to include other attractions or have requirements in hotels or meals, we can arrange all for you. Also, we will assign a local guide to take you explore the magical terrain in Chongqing comfortably. Just contact China Xian Tour to start your carefree tour.

Recommended Chongqing Tours to Three Gorges Museum

• 6 Days Exploration Tour of Chengdu – Chongqing – Yangtze River – Yichang
• 7 Days Chengdu and Chongqing Tour with Yangtze River Cruise
• 10 Days Chongqing Yangtze River Cruise & Zhangjiajie Tour