Qi Culture Museum & Linzi Football Museum
齐文化博物院
A new landmark museum complex in Linzi that presents eight centuries of Qi state history. It also houses a football museum that tells the story of cuju, the origin of the game.
The Qi Culture Museum is a large museum complex in urban Linzi centered on the history of the Qi state. Its exhibits include archaeological finds from the Qi capital ruins, bronze vessels, pottery, roof tiles, and Qi knife coins. It covers stories such as Jiang Taigong being enfeoffed as the lord of Qi, Duke Huan of Qi becoming hegemon, and the 'Hundred Schools of Thought' debates at the Jixia Academy. Within the complex is the Linzi Football Museum. FIFA recognizes Linzi as the birthplace of football, and the early game was called cuju. The museum tells the story of how cuju evolved from the Warring States period to the Song dynasty through artifacts, recreated scenes, and interactive experiences, and visitors can try cuju themselves. Admission is generally free or requires a reservation (check the official announcements), and the museum is usually closed on Mondays. It is recommended to combine a visit with the Linzi Qi Capital Ruins, the Horse Burial Pit, and the Ancient Chariot Museum for a day trip. It is about 10 to 15 minutes by taxi from Linzi station.
Opening hours
Closed Mondays; approx. 09:00–17:00 (check official announcements)
Nearby sights
- Guan Zhong Memorial Hall
- Tian Qi Royal Tombs
- China Ancient Chariot Museum
- Jiang Taigong Temple
- Linzi Ancient Qi Capital Ruins & Eastern Zhou Horse Pit
- Badaju Market
- Zibo Museum
- Zibo Ceramics & Glass Museum