Core Viewpoint - The "Dragon Rising China: Hongshan Culture Ancient Civilization Exhibition" at the Shanghai Museum showcases the latest archaeological discoveries and research results of the Hongshan culture, highlighting its formation, development, and influence through significant artifacts and findings [1][2][3]. Group 1: Exhibition Overview - The exhibition focuses on the iconic cultural symbol of the Hongshan culture, the jade dragon, and includes new archaeological discoveries from Liaoning, Inner Mongolia, and Hebei, creating a comprehensive picture of the Hongshan culture's evolution [1]. - The Hongshan culture dates back approximately 6,500 years and lasted until about 4,800 years ago, with its sites covering nearly 300,000 square kilometers [1]. Group 2: Cultural Characteristics - Continuity and innovation are key features of the Hongshan culture, with typical pottery like the flat-bottomed cylindrical jar and the emergence of jade and painted pottery reflecting its innovative spirit [1]. - The variety and quantity of jade artifacts increased, evolving into ceremonial vessels with social functions, while painted pottery served as a medium for cultural exchange with the Central Plains [1]. Group 3: Ritual and Social Structure - The establishment of a ritual order centered around ceremonial activities formed the institutional basis for ancient state civilizations, with significant sites like the Niuheliang site in Liaoning indicating a complex ritual system [2]. - Differences in jade artifact quality and size among high-status members suggest the emergence of a hierarchical order, similar to historical records [2]. Group 4: Archaeological Discoveries - The decline of the ritual center at the Niuheliang site around 5,000 years ago raises questions about whether it was due to an overemphasis on rituals or environmental changes [3]. - The discovery of the Zhengjiagou site provides insights into the southward migration of the Hongshan culture's population, enriching the narrative of its integration into the Central Plains [3]. Group 5: Cultural Significance - The jade dragon, a complex and widely distributed artifact, symbolizes the intricate jade ritual system of the Hongshan culture and reflects societal acceptance of its hierarchical order [3]. - The numerous archaeological findings from the Hongshan culture offer important clues for exploring the origins of Chinese civilization from both institutional and spiritual perspectives [3].

Group 1 - The summer vacation has led to a surge in visitor numbers at museums and exhibition halls across various regions, with the Liaoning Provincial Museum averaging nearly 15,000 visitors on recent weekdays [1] - The Liaoning Provincial Museum features significant artifacts such as the jade pig dragon, which is a large and well-preserved piece from the Hongshan culture, showcasing intricate craftsmanship [3] - Another highlight is the flower tree-shaped gold crown from the Three Yan period, which is over 1,700 years old and reflects the luxury of the nobility during that time [5] Group 2 - The Liaoning Provincial Museum is hosting a major themed exhibition titled "Mountains and Seas Have Feelings: Encountering Dunhuang in Liaoning," which is expected to attract considerable interest [7] - To enhance visitor experience, the museum has created a fully digital exhibition hall featuring renowned Tang and Song dynasty paintings, utilizing high-tech methods to present traditional Chinese culture [8] - The Xinjiang Museum has launched a new exhibition on ancient Chinese musical instruments, showcasing over 200 representative artifacts and live performances to engage visitors [15][17] Group 3 - In Chengdu, the local museums and science centers are becoming popular destinations for both domestic and international tourists, with the Chengdu Museum receiving over 20 million visitors since its opening in 2016 [21] - The Chengdu Museum features a collection of over 300,000 shadow puppets, allowing visitors to experience traditional performances and hands-on activities [23] - The Sichuan Cuisine Museum has seen a 35.7% increase in visitors compared to the same period last year, highlighting the growing interest in local culinary history [27]

Group 1: Museum Visitor Trends - Various museums, including the Liaoning Provincial Museum and Xinjiang Museum, are experiencing a surge in visitor numbers during the summer vacation period, with the Liaoning Provincial Museum averaging nearly 15,000 visitors on recent weekdays [1][6] - The Chengdu Museum has received over 20 million visitors since its new building opened in 2016, indicating its popularity as a cultural destination [11] Group 2: Notable Exhibits and Cultural Significance - The Liaoning Provincial Museum features significant artifacts such as the jade pig dragon, a symbol of the Hongshan culture, showcasing the importance of jade craftsmanship in ancient times [1][3] - The Xinjiang Museum's new exhibition on ancient Chinese musical instruments includes over 200 representative artifacts, enhancing cultural appreciation through interactive experiences [8] - Chengdu's unique offerings include a variety of interactive experiences at the Chengdu Museum and the Sichuan Cuisine Museum, which features over 6,000 artifacts related to the history of Sichuan cuisine [13][15] Group 3: Innovative Exhibition Formats - The Liaoning Provincial Museum has launched a high-tech immersive digital exhibition titled "Tang and Song Elegance," allowing visitors to engage with national treasures through digital means [4][6] - Xinjiang Museum is utilizing advanced technologies such as AI and interactive displays to enhance visitor engagement and understanding of historical artifacts [8] Group 4: Extended Access and Visitor Engagement - To accommodate increased summer visitors, the Liaoning Provincial Museum has extended its hours from July 1 to August 31, remaining open an additional hour each day [6] - The Sichuan Cuisine Museum offers bilingual guides and tax refund services for international visitors, enhancing the overall visitor experience [13][15]

Core Viewpoint - The "Dragon Soars China: Hongshan Culture Ancient Civilization Special Exhibition" is currently being held at the Shanghai Museum, showcasing 310 cultural relics from 20 cultural institutions, including 68 first-class and 39 second-class relics [1] Group 1: Cultural Significance - The Hongshan culture, which thrived from approximately 4700 to 2900 BC in the Liao River basin, is recognized for its advanced primitive agriculture, animal husbandry, and unique burial mounds and goddess temple relics [1] - The culture is particularly noted for its exceptional jade craftsmanship, exemplified by the "First Dragon of China," which is described as having a smooth surface and intricate carvings achieved through complex techniques without metal tools [1] Group 2: Artifacts - In addition to jade artifacts, pottery is a significant component of the Hongshan culture, featuring simple yet representative designs such as zigzag patterns and cloud motifs, reflecting the aesthetic preferences and technical skills of the time [2] - A variety of artifacts are displayed, including jade items like the jade pig dragon, jade phoenix, and various pottery forms such as painted pots and jars [4][5][6][7]

Core Viewpoint - The excavation of the Yuanbaoshan Jishizhong, a significant burial site from the Hongshan culture, reveals important artifacts and insights into the social structure and burial practices of ancient societies in Inner Mongolia [6][21][30]. Group 1: Excavation Details - The Yuanbaoshan Jishizhong is located 1.5 kilometers north of Baji Village in Aohan Banner, Inner Mongolia, and is characterized by stone-built tombs typical of the Hongshan culture, dating back approximately 5,400 to 5,000 years [1][6][21]. - The excavation team, led by Party Yu, faced challenges due to a recent tomb robbery, necessitating urgent rescue excavations [1][6]. - The site has yielded over 100 jade artifacts, with the M15 tomb being the largest and most significant, containing three jade pig dragons, which are emblematic of the Hongshan culture [6][23][30]. Group 2: Cultural Significance - The Yuanbaoshan site is considered one of the most important discoveries in recent years within the Hongshan cultural context, influencing perceptions of social hierarchy and burial customs [6][7][21]. - The discovery of the "tomb-altar integrated" structure at Yuanbaoshan is unprecedented, indicating a dual function of burial and ritual practices [11][13][30]. - The presence of jade artifacts, particularly the jade pig dragons, suggests a complex distribution system of jade within the Hongshan culture, reflecting social stratification and cultural identity [23][31][30]. Group 3: Archaeological Findings - The excavation revealed a total of 21 tombs, including nine from the Hongshan culture, with significant variations in size and structure indicating social hierarchy [15][18][21]. - The M15 tomb, which is the only one with a stepped stone coffin, raises questions about the location of a potential central tomb, as it is positioned towards the southern part of the burial site [17][18][21]. - The "hiding jade in walls" phenomenon, where jade artifacts were found embedded in the walls of the tombs, suggests a ritualistic practice that may have been common in other Hongshan sites [29][30].