“The Great Way in Simplicity — The Spirit of China in Bamboo and Wooden Slips” is a thematic exhibition at Changsha Bamboo Slips Museum. It uses archaeological bamboo and wooden manuscripts to explore the cultural and ethical foundations of Chinese civilisation.
The exhibition presents six aspects of the “spirit of China”: benevolence, a people-centred outlook, integrity, justice, harmony and universal unity. These ideas are explored through tangible historical objects. The exhibited Jiahe Li Min Tian Jia is an early form of contract: a land-rental agreement written on a large wooden slip, marked with the character tong and divided into three matching pieces for the parties to verify. It provides a material record of integrity. A seal-clay box associated with the queen of the Western Han kingdom of Changsha also illustrates protection against unauthorised opening and the maintenance of trust.
The Chinese exhibition description records its selection for the National Cultural Heritage Administration’s 2023 thematic exhibition recommendation programme on promoting fine traditional Chinese culture and fostering core socialist values. It also records an outstanding award in the 2021–2024 fine exhibition recommendation programme.
Exhibition highlights
- Collections: Discover locally excavated manuscripts from Changsha’s Zoumalou, Liye and Yuelu, alongside well-known collections including the Guodian Chu slips, Tsinghua slips, Shanghai Museum slips and Zhangjiashan Han slips. Together, they cover the period from the Warring States to the Wei and Jin dynasties.
- Interactive interpretation: The exhibition description includes AR-based interactions for viewing objects, museum interactive terminals and a QR-accessed audio series, “The Spirit of China in Bamboo and Wooden Slips”. Activities for children include “Young Bamboo-Slip Scribes”. These describe the museum’s exhibition programme; use the original website’s controls for the online experience.
- Continuing display: The Chinese description states that the exhibition continues at Changsha Bamboo Slips Museum and was included in its New Year holiday opening programme. Confirm current arrangements with the museum before visiting.
Visitor information
Changsha Bamboo Slips Museum is described in the Chinese source as China’s first modern specialist museum devoted to bamboo and wooden manuscripts. Its work combines collection, conservation, research, exhibitions and public education. Check official museum channels for current opening hours and reservation requirements.
The exhibition opened on 14 October 2022 and was originally scheduled to run until 13 February 2023. The Chinese description states that it subsequently became a permanent display; confirm the latest exhibition schedule before travelling.
Online exhibition entrance and views
Enter the Changsha Bamboo Slips Museum virtual exhibition ↗
Use the link above to explore the virtual exhibition, or select “Launch experience” at the top of this page to open the existing exhibition entrance.
