REDSTAR Hangzhou October 2019

CULTURE // 广 告 • 文 化
5
BEST MUSEUM
PIECES IN
HANGZHOU
By Edgar Barreto
There are over 50 museums in the Hangzhou metropolitan area. Housed within them are countless
artefacts telling the story of the city, those who raised it, and those who call it home. Among these
treasures, several works of Chinese genius stand out. Here is the story of five such splendid pieces.
2. ROYAL ROBES
1. DANNY GARDEN MAP
The Danny Garden Map is the dearest relic
of the West Lake Museum. It was made by
royal artisans in the 18th century for the
personal use of the Qing Qianlong Emperor.
The monarch would rely on this map during
his stays in paradisiac West Lake. When
fully unrolled it measures 18 meters in
length and it contains exquisite etchings
in vivid acrylics. The luxurious map was a
necessity during royal tours, pilgrimages,
and personal excursions. All of the Qing
era West Lake area was depicted in the
scroll for the exclusive use of the Son of
Heaven. His majesty would have identified
not only the Lake but also its surrounding
areas including Longjing Village and
Lingyin Temple. The Danny Garden Scroll
is a window into a cultural and scenic area
that has forged the very soul of China.
If you ever wondered what the
sumptuous clothes in the famous
imperial Ming and Qing paintings
looked like in real life, this is your
chance to find out. Housed in the
Museum of Silk, the actual robes
worn by several Chinese Emperors
can be visited and seen. These royal
vestments were fashionable in court
from around the overthrow of the
Yuan Dynasty in the 13th century.
Displayed are actual relics dating
from the 17th to the 20th centuries.
Time has not ruined these imperial
robes, as they lay in a state of pristine
preservation. If you thought the
Versailles nobility was unsurpassed
in refinement then come and see
the royal attires used by the kings
of China—the Cradle of Silk.
24 redstarhangzhou.com