If you search online for “wanghong wenwu” or “internet famous cultural relics,” you’ll stumble upon amusing pictures and emojis featuring ancient artifacts from Chinese museums. These images often get a humorous twist from young people with lively imaginations.
For example, there’s this bronze wine vessel shaped like an owl from the Shanxi Museum, dating back to around the 16th century B.C. Internet users have nicknamed it “angry bird” because it looks a bit like the chubby character from a popular Finnish video game. Another bronze figure discovered at the Sanxingdui Ruins reminds people of Ultraman, a famous Japanese animation character.
These funny internet memes reflect a growing interest among young Chinese folks in historical artifacts. They’re discovering a newfound enthusiasm for visiting museums, becoming the driving force behind the museum craze sweeping across the nation.
This enthusiasm was evident during the recent May Day holiday. Over 6,000 museums across China welcomed more than 50 million visitors, setting a new record, according to initial data from the National Cultural Heritage Administration.
Take the Hubei Provincial Museum in Wuhan, for example. It saw over 20,000 visitors daily during the holiday. One of its star attractions was the sword of Goujian, a legendary king’s treasure dating back 2,500 years. Youngsters lined up eagerly to catch a glimpse of this ancient marvel.
Tian Xing, a college student studying computer science from Hunan Province, dedicated a whole day to visit the Hubei Provincial Museum. “Whenever I visit a new city, checking out the local museums is my top priority,” he said. “Museums act like windows, giving me a glimpse into the lives and wisdom of ancient people.”
Data from the Hubei Provincial Museum shows that since 2021, visitors under 30 years old have made up over 60 percent of the total number of visitors. The largest age group, accounting for nearly 40 percent, is between 18 and 24 years old.
According to Zhang Jianwen, vice curator of the Luoyang Museum of Ancient Tombs in Henan Province, at least 80 percent of their visitors are under 35 years old. Zhang believes that young people are drawn to historical museums because of their growing curiosity and fondness for cultural relics, ancient history, and traditional culture.
More and more young people aren’t just taking photos and checking in at exhibitions; they’re developing a genuine appreciation for the historical and cultural significance of the artifacts they encounter.
Yang Yang, a 30-year-old working in the IT industry, traveled from Xingtai, Hebei Province, to Luoyang for a four-day museum tour. He’s been interested in history and culture since he was young and cherished the opportunity to explore Luoyang’s rich history.
Through artifacts, Yang learns about the daily lives, rituals, social systems of ancient people, and even the rise and fall of imperial dynasties. He was particularly impressed by the fresco exhibitions at the Luoyang Museum of Ancient Tombs, which vividly depict ancient life scenes.
Museums are also working hard to attract younger visitors by offering a variety of attractions tailored to their preferences, such as laser shows, giant-screen video displays, night tours, stamp-collecting museum passports, and creative souvenirs.
Even ancient artifacts are finding ways to connect with young people. For example, the Henan Museum introduced a creative souvenir called the “archeological blind box” in 2020. It allows buyers to experience the thrill of excavating an unspecified “antiquity” with a miniature Luoyang shovel, a traditional Chinese archaeological tool.
Tan Ping, director of Art Exhibitions China, a government agency affiliated with the National Cultural Heritage Administration, believes that today’s young people are financially secure, patriotic, and eager to explore new things. This has prompted museums to blend tradition with modern trends, using innovative methods to present history and civilization.
