Nanyue King Museum (Mausoleum Site)
南越王博物院王墓展区
The original tomb of Zhao Mo, the second king of the Nanyue Kingdom over two thousand years ago. It contains a jade suit of silk threads, the gold seal “Imperial Seal of Emperor Wen” and more than a thousand artifacts. It is Guangzhou's most important museum.
The Mausoleum Exhibition Area of the Nanyue King Museum is on Xiànggǎng Hill (Elephant Ridge) on North Liberation Road. During construction in 1983, workers unexpectedly discovered the tomb of Zhao Mo, the second king of the Western Han-era Nanyue Kingdom, known as Emperor Wen. It is the largest and most richly furnished painted-stone-chamber Han tomb found in Lingnan, and the only Nanyue king's tomb that was never plundered.
Visitors can enter the original tomb chamber to see its seven-chamber layout and murals. The main exhibition building displays more than 1,000 artifacts, including the only jade suit of silk threads in China, the dragon-knob gold seal “Imperial Seal of Emperor Wen,” a gold-inlaid bronze tiger tally, jade horn cups and a Persian silver box. A special exhibition of historical ceramic pillows is donated by Yang Yongde and his wife.
The museum building was designed by Mo Bozhi. Its red sandstone walls are built into the hillside, and the building itself is a celebrated work of contemporary Lingnan architecture. Admission is free but requires real-name reservation through the museum's WeChat official account. It is closed on Mondays, except public holidays. Scheduled volunteer guided tours and audio guides are available.
Get there from Exit E of Yuexiu Park Station on Metro Line 2, a 5-minute walk. The museum is next to Yuexiu Park and Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall. Allow 1.5–2 hours. If you are interested in the Nanyue Kingdom, you can also visit the Palace Exhibition Area (Nanyue Kingdom Palace Office Ruins) on Beijing Road.
Note: the tomb passage is narrow, and during holidays visitors must queue to enter.
Opening hours
Closed Mondays; 09:00–17:30 (last admission 16:45)
Nearby sights
- Yuexiu Park (Five Rams Statue & Zhenhai Tower)
- Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall
- Guangxiao Temple
- Temple of the Six Banyan Trees
- Liuhua Lake Park
- Nanyue King Museum – Palace Site
- Huaisheng Mosque (Guangta)
- Beijing Road Pedestrian Street