Located in Shaanxi province, China, the world’s first on-site cultural heritage museum within an airport—the China West Airport Group (CWAG) Museum of Heritage—officially opened to the public on February 26 at the T5 terminal at Xi'an Xianyang International Airport. The museum showcases 121 artifacts unearthed during the construction of Xi’an Xianyang International Airport, highlighting the conservation efforts and archaeological excavations made during the airport’s development. It also offers a glimpse into the former splendor of the ancient city of Chang’an (present-day Xi’an) and Shaanxi’s historical significance as the starting point of the ancient Silk Road.
The museum features a multi-layered and multi-faceted exhibition system, including permanent, thematic and temporary exhibitions. Its main exhibition hall, Sifang Pavilion, spans 400 square meters and takes its name from the official guesthouse for foreign diplomats during China’s Sui and Tang dynasties (581–907 CE), which served as an important diplomatic institution of the time. The name reflects both the museum’s historical depth and its grand architectural style. The permanent exhibition, Chang’an—Everlasting Peace: Cultural Relics Unearthed from Xi’an Xianyang International Airport and Ancient Chang’an, features 121 excavated artifacts organized into three sections: “Echoes of the Past Millennium”, “Silk Road Connection” and “Prosperity of Chang’an”. Together, they weave a narrate spanning a thousand years of history.
As the world’s first airport-based, on-site museum dedicated to cultural relics, the CWAG Museum of Heritage offers more than just historical treasures. It also features an intangible cultural heritage souvenir zone, where travelers can experience Shaanxi’s traditional craftsmanship firsthand, including shadow puppetry, paper cutting and Lantian jade carving.
Source: Ynet
Image source: Shaanxi Provincial Cultural Heritage Administration