Chongqing Baiheliang Underwater Museum, Chongqing, China

Baiheliang Underwater Museum is just located in Chongqing,China.
Baiheliang Underwater Museum consists of three parts: the exhibition hall, the corridors and the underwater inscriptions protection cover.
As for the underwater visiting, visitors would take a 91m-long escalator before they get to the river bottom which is 40m under the Yangtze River, and then walk in the 146m long underwater corridor to reach the underwater inscription protection cover. The inscription protection cover has a 70m long visiting corridor, and 23 observation windows. Just from these glass windows, visitors can clearly view the cultural relic of the museum which is protected at its original site -Baiheliang Inscriptions.

Baiheliang Inscription was first engraved 1,200 years ago, about the year of Guangde of the Tang Dynasty (763 AD). Since then, there have been 165 inscriptions, 18 engraved fish, 2 Avalokiteshvara statues and 1 white crane. In 1988, Baiheliang was listed as a Key Cultural Relic Protection Unit, and in 2006, it was included in Chinese World Cultural Heritage Tentative List.

In terms of literature, art, and history, Baiheliang Inscriptions have significant values. Therefore, there exist not only exquisite engravings, calligraphy, poetry, but also philosophical reflection with profound implications.

To protect Baiheliang Inscriptions and preserve the precious historical memory, Chinese government adopted non-pressure container by Ge Xiurun, who is an academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and the professor of Shanghai Jiao Tong University, to build a museum. The construction of the museum commenced in 2003 and was finally completed in 2009, spending 7 years and a total cost of RMB 210,000,000. In 2010, UNESCO entitled it as the “The First Underwater Museum Accessible without Diving in the World”.

Temporary exhibitions

The Water We Want Exhibition 2020

In the frame of the Youth Prize Contest “The Water We Want 2020”, the Chongqing Baiheliang Underwater Museum organised a temporary exhibition with the students’ paintings telling the water they want. The Exhibition was held during the Chinese Farmer’s Harvest festival in Fuling, Chongqing.

SERs

International meeting on Baiheliang. Protection and Valorization of internal water Cultural Heritage in 2015

Forty experts from all over the world came to Chongqing to take part in the meeting. The representatives investigated the protection and valorization of Baiheliang. 15 experts presented the examples, laws and other issues on presentation and valorization of underwater cultural heritage in the world. Moreover, they discussed how to use the modern technologies to promote the protection and valorization of the underwater cultural heritage. The meeting committee had received 20 essays.

International meeting on protection. Presentation and Valorization of Underwater Cultural Heritage in 2010.

The 80 professors from UNESCO, France and other 9 countries came to Chongqing, to discuss the current situations of underwater cultural heritage in the world, especially for the challenges and solutions. Baiheliang is an example for the protection and presentation of underwater cultural heritage, attracted attentions by the professors.

Underwater cultural heritage is a part of the human cultural heritage, we should protect them. The meeting set a stage for the cooperation with all over the world, which will use for the protection and presentation of underwater cultural heritage.

Making the moon cakes

Mid-autumn Festival is a traditional festival in China. On the day, people would eat the moon cakes. It is a time for family members and loved ones to congregate. This activity we invite 20 international students to come to the museum, to teach them to make moon cakes, and like a family to celebrete the festival.

Facial makeup painting

Peking opera is a traditional culture in China. But less and less people love it especially for the students. This activity invited an Peking opera artist to tell the information about the opera to the students and teach them to painting on the facial makeup.

Handwriting activity

Handwriting is a traditional skill in China. There are many beautiful handwriting and different character styles on Baiheliang. In order to make more and more people especially for the students don’t forget the handwriting, we held the competition. More than 40 students took part in the activity.

Education activity “kite”

In ancient times, when Baiheliang got out of the water, many people would get on the ridge. They were appreciating the inscriptions, playing and flying kites. There were 30 students to take part in the activity. They learned the principles of flying kites and how to make kites.

Activities on Harvest Festival

There is a saying “the two stone fish jumping out of the water, the next year would be a harvest”. In 2018, there is the first Chinese farmers’ Harvest Festival. Baiheliang Underwater Museum held a series of activities. Evening party is to show the connection between Baiheliang and Harvest to the public. An exhibition was exhibit the paintings and handwriting about harvest and Baiheliang. A seminar and education class in the museum to discuss the relationships between Baiheliang and harvest.

World Water Day” and “China Water Week” in 2019

There are 30 students to take part in the activities. First a class about how to protect the river. Second, the students came to the Xieyang river to collect the water sample. Thirdly, came to the sewage treatment plant to survey how to make waste water became clear water. Last we hold a painting collection about the rivers in my hometown; more than 138 students were painting the rivers in their hometown.