China National Silk Museum
Photo: Own work — CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Established in 1992, the China National Silk Museum in Hangzhou is the world’s largest silk museum, featuring extensive collections of ancient and modern silk artifacts.
Planning your visit
Hangzhou has been a silk city since the Song dynasty, and the China National Silk Museum is the largest institution devoted to the material anywhere. Established in 1992 and much expanded since, it covers the whole subject: the biology of the silkworm and mulberry cultivation, the technology of reeling and weaving, the archaeology of Chinese silk including textiles recovered from tombs, and the Silk Road trade that carried it west.
The conservation laboratory is internationally significant — reconstructing and stabilising excavated textiles is exceptionally difficult work, and the museum is among the leading centres for it. Working looms demonstrate the drawloom technology that made complex figured silks possible, which is genuinely impressive to watch.
The fashion galleries extend into modern Chinese and Western dress, giving the material a contemporary dimension.
Admission is free. The museum sits south of West Lake, easily combined with the lake itself, which is the reason most visitors come to Hangzhou. Allow two hours. Bookable options combine the museum with West Lake and silk keychain workshops. Current availability is listed below.
Before you book
Where is China National Silk Museum?
China National Silk Museum is in Hangzhou, China. The map on this page marks its exact location.
How long should I allow for China National Silk Museum?
Allow two hours. That is the time the collection itself takes at an unhurried pace, before any queue.
Do I need to book China National Silk Museum in advance?
Tickets can be bought on the door at quiet times, but booking ahead fixes the date and avoids the queue at busy ones. Live availability is shown on this page.