The exhibition "This is the Shang", part of the "Exhibition Series on the Origins of Chinese Civilization", is being held at the Grand Canal Museum of Beijing (Capital Museum East Branch) and will continue until October 12th. Presenting a panoramic view of Shang Dynasty culture and decoding its civilizational significance, this is the largest exhibition on Shang civilization in recent years.
Guided by the National Cultural Heritage Administration and the Publicity Department of the Beijing Municipal Committee of the Communist Party of China, the exhibition is hosted by the Beijing Municipal Cultural Heritage Bureau, the Institute of Archaeology CASS, and the Henan Provincial Administration of Cultural Heritage. It is organized by the Capital Museum, Yinxu Museum, Henan Museum, Anyang Museum, and Beijing Radio & Television Station. The exhibition gathers 338 precious cultural relics (sets) from 28 archaeological and cultural institutions across China, including oracle bones, bronzes, pottery, and jade artifacts, with over 50 classified as Grade One or key cultural relics.
The Shang Dynasty, "traceable upwards to the Xia and extending downwards to the Zhou", played a pivotal role in the formation of early Chinese civilization and the state. Growing archaeological discoveries reveal that the Shang period not only marked the pinnacle of China's Bronze Age civilization but also inherited over a millennium of regional cultural integration. It established the foundation for three millennia of continuous, pluralistic-yet-unified civilization, profoundly shaping the trajectory of Chinese society.
The exhibition is divided into four sections: "With Achieves and Narratives", beginning with the Shang royal genealogy; "The Apex of Bronze", showcasing Shang-era production, daily life, and social organization; "Centred and Expanding", exploring the dynasty's territorial influence; and "A Model for Posterity", highlighting its historical role in the origins of Chinese civilization.
The exhibition integrates findings from 10 instances of "China's Top Ten Archaeological Discoveries" across 8 sites. It features representative artifacts from Yinxu in Anyang, Henan; Zhaigou in Qingjian, Shaanxi; Tanheli in Ningxiang, Hunan; Jinsha in Chengdu, Sichuan; and other key locations. Notable items include the Gold-Masked Bronze Head and Bronze Eagle-shaped Bell from Sanxingdui in Guanghan, Sichuan; and the Double-Faced Bronze Figure, Bronze Helmet with Animal-Mask Design, and Bronze Broadsword with Cicada Pattern from Dayangzhou in Xingan, Jiangxi.
Of special significance is the reunion of a pair of Bronze Owl-shaped Zun vessels unearthed at Yinxu and a pair of Bronze Yachou Yue axes from Subutun, Shandong – the first time these artifacts have been together in 50 years since excavation. Additionally, capitalizing on the popularity of the film Ne Zha 2, the exhibition includes a special section displaying historical artifacts that inspired props used in the movie.
The exhibition pioneers innovative approaches in spatial design, display techniques, and media integration. It employs thread-light-shadow art, contrasting color schemes, and AI-animated historical figures interacting with contemporary internet culture to create an immersive spatial concept of the Shang capital. Advanced technologies include the "Oracle Bone Saga" XR Immersive Experience Space – a multi-sensory virtual reality environment (sight, sound, smell, taste, touch) recreating historical scenes of the Great Settlement of Shang (Dayi Shang) and the context of oracle bone script's creation. Visitors wearing MR (Mixed Reality) devices can virtually handle artifacts and experience ancient casting techniques. The exhibition also debuts China's first integrated VR system combining volumetric video (real-person capture), simulated haptic flooring, and scent diffusion, allowing visitors to walk through Shang ceremonial altars, interact with animated oracle characters, and embody Shang warriors protecting the civilization.
