Exhibition highlights artifacts from key heritage sites

An exhibition in Ningbo, Zhejiang province, showcases artifacts from three world-class heritage sites, marking a significant milestone in cultural exchange.

The Starting Point of the East: A Cross-Time and Space Dialogue Exhibition between Ningbo and Xi'an on the Maritime and Overland Silk Roads, opened at the Ningbo Museum in late November. The exhibition brings together 481 pieces and sets of exhibits from 39 museums and cultural institutions across the country. It is also the first domestic exhibition to showcase the combined cultural relics of the Silk Road, the Maritime Silk Road, and the Grand Canal, all of which are world heritage sites.

Shan Jixiang, former curator of the Palace Museum, noted during his visit to the exhibition that the collaboration with major museums across the country enriched its content.

"Many of the exhibits are rare and precious artifacts, some of which are even national-level cultural relics. This demonstrates that our museum system is like a big family," said Shan.

Zhang Liang, the director of Ningbo Museum, recalled the inception of this exhibition amid the 10th anniversary celebrations of the UNESCO World Heritage status of the "Silk Roads: the Routes Network of Chang'an-Tianshan Corridor" and the "Grand Canal".

Zhang said that the Ningbo Museum has long sought partnerships with cultural institutions in central and western China to enable audiences of the Yangtze River Delta region to appreciate national treasures at their doorstep.

Xi'an, Shaanxi province, is the starting point of the overland Silk Road, while Ningbo serves as a critical hub of the Maritime Silk Road. The two cities were closely connected through the Grand Canal and the Eastern Zhejiang Canal. Based on this shared history, the exhibition uses Ningbo and Xi'an as dual focal points.

However, curating an exhibition of this scale came with significant challenges.

"We wanted to create something rich and comprehensive, but that also meant setting ourselves an enormous task," said Zhang.

The museum had to borrow an unprecedented 481 artifacts — making it the largest and most high-profile temporary exhibition in Ningbo's history.

Transporting these invaluable artifacts was a daunting undertaking. Each route required a team of security personnel and workers to ensure the items' safe delivery, with lending institutions often sending staff to oversee the process.

"During those weeks, our team crisscrossed the country tirelessly. Some were on the road for as long as two weeks, and we were constantly worried about the safety of both the artifacts and our staff," Zhang recounted. All the artifacts arrived safely at the museum a week before the opening.

But time constraints also added to the pressure. Each artifact had to be meticulously positioned, with adjustments to lighting, placement, and overall presentation made to ensure a cohesive narrative. These fine details required countless rounds of refinement.

Zhang emphasized that the purpose of showcasing history is not just to reflect on the past but inspire the present and future. Recognizing the interests of young audiences, the exhibition incorporates modern elements such as interactive installations and LED displays. These features bring a sense of movement and life to the exhibition, while digital panels and videos delve into the stories behind the artifacts.

Spanning 2,200 square meters, the exhibition is divided into five sections, each representing a different stage in the cultural and historical development of the Silk Roads and the Grand Canal.

The exhibition begins with an exploration of the early connections between cultures in the Neolithic period. It moves on to the flourishing trade routes of the Han Dynasty (206 BC-AD 220) and the interplay of overland and sea networks during the Tang Dynasty (618-907). It also highlights the dynamic evolution of maritime commerce from the Song Dynasty (960-1279) to the Opium Wars in the mid-19th century, before concluding with a look at how the Belt and Road Initiative continues this legacy in the modern era.

"Visiting an exhibition is like watching a play — different people may have different interpretations. Our goal is to present history in its most authentic and engaging form, inviting every visitor to discover their own connection to the past," Zhang said.