Top 10 Precious Cultural Relics in Shaanxi History Museum

Written by Clementine | Updated February 25,2026

Shaanxi History Museum is one of the most highlight attractions in the Xian City area. For tourists who love history, the museum is a must-visit on their Xian tour. As the first large-scale modern museum and a national 4A scenic area, Shaanxi History Museum has a large quantity of collections that range from remote antiquity (when human society was in its initial stage) to 1840 (when modern history of China began). Xian is a well-known capital city in China. In history, there were the Zhou, the Qin, the Han, the Sui, and the Tang Dynasties, which set Chang’an (today’s Xian) as their capitals.

According to statistics, there are 370 0000 pieces/sets of cultural relics unearthed in Shaanxi Province kept in the Shaanxi History Museum. Among the collections, 762 pieces/sets were evaluated as the Grade One cultural relics of the state. And 18 of the grade one cultural relics were regarded as the national treasure. In this blog, we’d like to share 10 of the most precious relics in the museum.

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• Quick Facts about Shaanxi History Museum
• An Overview of Shaanxi History Museum’s Cultural Relics
• Gilt Silver Jar With Pattern of Dancing Horses (Tang Dynasty)
• Gold Bowl With Yuanyang & Lotus Pattern (Tang Dynasty)
• Agate Cup with Beast Head (Tang Dynasty)
• Tri-colored Camel with Musician Figure (Tang Dynasty)
• Seal of Empress (Han Dynasty)
• Gilt Bronze Incense Burner (Han Dynasty)
• Green-glazed Bottom Filling Ewer With Handle (from Periods of Five Dynasties)
• Gilt Silver Bottle With a Handle and Parrot Patterns (from Tang Dynasty)
• Oil-Spot Black Ceramic Glaze Bowel (from Song Dynasty)
• Goose Shaped Colored Brass Lamp (from Han Dynasty)
• How to Get to the Shaanxi History Museum by Public Transport

• Tips for Visiting the Shaanxi History Museum
• FAQs about Shaanxi History Museum
• Explore the Museums in Xian with China Xian Tour

Quick Facts about Shaanxi History Museum

• Chinese name: 陕西历史博物馆
• Location: No. 91, Xiaozhai East Road, Yanta District
• Ticket: free, but need a reservation 3 days in advance
• Opening hours: 09:00 – 17:30; Ticket checking stops at 16:30; Closed every Monday (except during Chinese national holidays)
• Time needed: 2 – 4 hours
• Best time to go: The ticket is very difficult to reserve, and December to February may be easier with fewer tourists

An Overview of Shaanxi History Museum’s Cultural Relics

The first question that comes to mind for many is: How many cultural relics are in the Shaanxi History Museum’s collection? According to the Shaanxi History Museum official website, the number of collections is very abundant, with over 1,700,000 artifacts (sets), including 762 grade one cultural relics and 18 national treasures.

The cultural relics, including the “top 10”, span a vast period of over 1 million years, ranging from the initial stage of ancient humans to the period before 1840 and covering all the main dynasties of ancient China, such as the Qin, Han, Tang, Ming, and Qing dynasties. And most of the collections were unearthed from archaeological excavations in cities within Shaanxi Province. And some were handed over by other institutions or units, or donated by the people from all walks of life.

For those seeking some of the highlights of Shaanxi History Museum’s collection, read on. We list the precious cultural relics, such as the Gilt Silver Jar With Pattern of Dancing Horses, Gold Bowl With Yuanyang & Lotus Pattern, etc. Also, there are varieties of bronze wares of the Shang and Zhou Dynasties, precious murals of the Tang Dynasty, and the exquisite artifacts unearthed from the Hejia Village, which are highlights of the museum.

Gilt Silver Jar With Pattern of Dancing Horses (Tang Dynasty)

For curious minds, you may wonder if there are any cultural relics that are forbidden to be exhibited outside of China. Yes, there are about 10 cultural relics forbidden to be exhibited outside of China, including agate cups, jars, seals, tomb figures, murals, etc.

In the Shaanxi History Museum, two cultural relics are forbidden to be exhibited in foreign countries. This is one of them. The horse in the jar is a dancing horse that was especially trained for dancing. After the An Shih Rebellion, the dancing horse art gradually disappeared. So later generations could only see the dancing horse record in a document. The excavation of this jar represented the actual scene of horse dancing. And it is the only geological material that proves the fact that on the birthday banquet of Emperor Xuanzong, a dancing horse performed the show to congratulate the emperor’s birthday.

• In Chinese: 鎏金舞马壶
• Period: 7th to 8th century AD
• Material: Silver base with gold plating
• Dimensions:Overall height is 18.5 cm, diameter is 2.3 cm
• Excavation background:Discovered in the 1970s in the southern suburbs of Xi’an City, at the Hu Jia Village tomb.
• Original function: It is presumed to be a wine vessel used for court banquets.

Gold Bowl With Yuanyang & Lotus Pattern (Tang Dynasty)

The bowl was discovered in 1970 in Hejiacun Village of Xian city. There were two bowls unearthed at the same time. The bowls showed how developed the silver & gold wares casting technique was in northern China 1000+ years ago. According to historical records, these two bowls are the most delicate gold bowls. And the gold bowls were mainly used by the emperors. So the Gold Bowl With Yuanyang & Lotus Pattern is rather precious in the experts’ minds.

• In Chinese: 唐鸳鸯莲瓣纹金碗
• Period: 7th to 8th century AD
• Material: Pure gold
• Dimensions: The two items are almost the same in size and weight. Both have a diameter of 13.5 cm and a foot diameter of 6.8 cm. However, one is 5.5 cm tall, and the other is 0.1 cm shorter. One weighs 392 grams while the other is one gram less.
• Excavation background: Found and unearthed at a construction site in the southern suburbs of Xi’an, on October 5, 1970.
• Original function: Possibly an imperial drinking vessel

Agate Cup with Beast Head (Tang Dynasty)

The cup is the other cultural relics in the Shaanxi History Museum that is forever forbidden to exhibit in a foreign country. The whole cup looks like the horn of a beast. On the front part of the cup, there is carved a cattle head. The mouth of the cattle was inlaid with gold. Experts think this agate cup is the most delicate jade carving artwork of the Tang Dynasty.

• In Chinese: 镶金兽首玛瑙杯
• Period: 7th to 8th century AD
• Material: Twisted agate (main body), gold (animal head with mouth decoration)
• Dimensions:5 cm tall and 15.6 cm long
• Excavation background: Unearthed from the hoard site in Hejia Village, southern suburbs of Xi’an City, in 1970.
• Original function: Possibly a drinking vessel of the court

Tri-colored Camel with Musician Figure (Tang Dynasty)

From the musician’s spirit and performing style, we can assume that the relics were made in the peak time of the Tang Dynasty. The musical instruments are mainly Hun musical instruments. But the costumes of the musicians are all in Han style. On the back of the camel, there are 8 musicians.

• In Chinese: 唐三彩骆驼载乐俑
• Period: 7th to 8th century AD
• Material: Tri-color glaze
• Dimensions: 58 cm tall and 41 cm long
• Excavation background: Unearthed from the Tang tomb in Zhongbao Village, Xixiao District, Xi’an City in 1959.
• Original function: A burial artifact

Seal of Empress (Han Dynasty)

Theoretically, the seal of the Empress is less authoritative than that of the Emperor. While in Chinese history, there were some empresses who were as influential as emperors: Empress Lv Zhi of the Han Dynasty, Empress Wu Zetian of the Tang Dynasty, and Empress Cixi of the Qing Dynasty. Cultural relics related to these great women would be much more precious. The empress’s seal in the Shaanxi History Museum belonged to Empress Lv Zhi. Lv Zhi is the wife of Liu Bang, who founded the Han Dynasty. In his husband’s way to establish a new dynasty, Lv Zhi put in a lot of effort. And after Liubang died, the empress ruled the country for 16 years behind the scenes. The seal was unearthed from the Maoling tomb of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty.

• In Chinese: 皇后玉玺
• Period: The 2nd century BC
• Material: Hetian white jade
• Dimensions: 8 cm long and 2 cm tall
• Excavation background: Unearthed from Hanjiawan Village, Hanjia Gou, Xianyang City in 1968.
• Original function: The seal of the Empress

Gilt Bronze Incense Burner (Han Dynasty)

Ancient Chinese people had the habit of burning incense to freshen the air in a room or give clothes a pleasing fragrance. In the Western Han Dynasty, the Emperor Wudi gave a gilt bronze incense burner to his elder sister as a gift. And the sister is the well-known Pingyang Princess, the wife of the great general Wei Qing. In 1981, that imperial gift was unearthed in the Maoling Mausoleum.

• In Chinese: 鎏金银竹节熏炉
• Period: 137 BC
• Material: Bronze (main body), gilded (surface)
• Dimensions: Overall height is 58 cm, diameter is 9 cm
• Excavation background: Unearthed from the burial pit of Princess Yangxin of Maoling in Shaanxi Province
• Original function: An incense burner

Green-glazed Bottom Filling Ewer With Handle (from Periods of Five Dynasties)

This ewer is the best of the best among Yaozhou Kiln productions. It is highly praised for its delicate design, excellent artwork, and the skillful use of physical principles.

• In Chinese: 青釉提梁倒注瓷壶
• Period: 137 BC
• Material: Porcelain (blue and white)
• Dimensions: Overall height is 18.3 cm and breadth is 14.3 cm
• Excavation background: Unearthed in Bin County (now Binzhou City) Shaanxi Province, in 1968
• Original function: A liquor bottle

Gilt Silver Bottle With a Handle and Parrot Patterns (from Tang Dynasty)

By present, this bottle is the most grand and the most delicate one among all silver bottles of the Tang Dynasty that were excavated. The parrot on the bottle body is rather vivid. And the bottle delivers the atmosphere of a happy event.

• In Chinese: 鎏金鹦鹉纹提梁银罐
• Period: 7th to 10th century AD
• Material: Pure silver (main body), gilded (surface decoration)
• Dimensions: 53 cm long and 42 cm tall
• Excavation background: Unearthed from the tomb burial site in the southern suburbs of Xi’an City, Shaanxi Province, in 1970
• Original function: To store the raw materials for medicinal pills

Oil-Spot Black Ceramic Glaze Bowel (from Song Dynasty)

Oil-spot is a kind of special black ceramic glaze produced during the Song Dynasty. The most remarkable feature of this bowl is the silver grey dots on the sooty face. The dots are like the beautiful stars in the sky.

• In Chinese: 黑釉“油滴”碗
• Period: 11th to 12th century AD
• Material: Porcelain body coated with black glaze
• Dimensions: Overall height is 7.5 cm, diameter is 19.2 cm
• Excavation background: An antique item, originally housed in the old collection of the imperial palace.
• Original function: A teacup

Goose Shaped Colored Brass Lamp (from Han Dynasty)

The brass lamp was made like a goose has a fish in its mouth. The opening part of the lampshade can be adjusted regarding direction and width. So the lampshade can not only protect against the wind but also adjust the lamp’s lightness and the lighting direction. The most surprising thing is that the lamp could solve its pollution itself. The lampblack could travel into the goose’s stomach. And in the stomach, there is a little plate that keeps some water. So the lampblack would blend into the water instead of polluting the air in the room.

• In Chinese: 铜雁鱼灯
• Period: 202 BC – 8 AD
• Material: Bronze
• Dimensions: 33 cm long and 54 cm tall
• Excavation background:Unearthed from the Dianta Village of Shenmu County, Shaanxi Province, in August 1985.
• Original function: A high-class lamp for the noble or official

How to Get to the Shaanxi History Museum by Public Transport

By Metro

The museum is 778 meters away from Xiaozhai Station of Xi’an Metro Line 2 and Line 3. It is 834 meters away from Dayan Temple Station of Xi’an Metro Line 3 and Line 4.

By City Bus

Take the public bus No. 5, No. 19, No. 24, No. 26, No. 27, No. 30, No. 34, No. 271, No. 400, No. 401, No. 521, No. 527, or No. 254 to get to the Shaanxi History Museum.

Tips for Visiting the Shaanxi History Museum

• For people with disabilities, the Shaanxi History Museum is wheel-friendly. There are various accessibility facilities including barrier-free restrooms, barrier-free parking spaces, barrier-free passages, barrier-free elevators, wheelchair rental, and Braille labels. Please consult the museum staff or your China Xian Tour guide if you need the service.
• For families with children, the museum offers baby stroller

FAQs about Shaanxi History Museum

Are there any artifacts from the Terracotta Army in the museum?

Yes, there are some cultural relics of Qin Dynasty with terracotta warriors exhibited. But the most famous and largest collections are in the Terracotta Warriors and Horses Museum in Lintong District, Xian.

What are the best alternatives to the Shaanxi History Museum if I can’t secure a reservation

Another famous scenic area to appreciate the abundant historic and cultural relics is Xian Museum, which is about 3.5 kilometers away from Shaanxi History Museum. In the museum, you will learn about the city history through 130,000 collections, including bronze wars, ceramics, jade wares, silver and golden wares, murals, painting, calligraphy and so on. Besides the museum, the scenic area also consists of Small Wild Goose Pagoda and Jianfu Temple, you can also visit at the same time.

Explore the Museums in Xian with China Xian Tour

To learn bout the history of Shaanxi Province, Shaanxi History Museum is undoubtedly the top one tourist attraction. But if you want to have an in-depth understanding of the cultural relics instead of merely watching them, a knowledge guide is very important. And China Xian Tour can arrange such a guide for you and book the ticket for you in advance to ensure you can enter the museum. Besides, we can plan a Xian tour with the museum based on your demands so that you can enjoy a complete city tour. Just contact us to plan your trip.