Weinan: Museum, Old Town and Qin Heritage

Weinan brings together a major museum, the tradition of shadow puppetry, heritage from the Qin period and Weinan Old Street on the Youhe River. These offer different ways to explore regional culture: a chronologically arranged exhibition, historic architecture, performing arts and riverside landscapes. When planning your trip, comparing these highlights can help you choose the themes you want to shape your stay.

Weinan Museum and Its Exhibition

Weinan Museum is located on the middle section of Letian Avenue and covers an area of 35,874 square metres. As a comprehensive museum, it combines collecting, research, exhibitions, academic exchange and leisure activities. Its role therefore spans both scholarly and public-facing functions.

The exhibition is divided into eight chronological sections. Through historical figures, events and achievements, it presents the cultural characteristics of the Weinan region. The chronological arrangement gives the subject a clear structure, while bringing together people, events and accomplishments as different ways to explore regional history.

The exhibition concept includes scientific, educational, artistic and entertaining forms of presentation, as well as technology-assisted interactive projects for visitors. Chronology and interaction provide different emphases: the sections arrange content by time, while interactive projects offer an additional way to engage with it.

Shadow Puppetry on Stage and at the Train Station

At the Intangible Cultural Heritage Theatre in the Weinan Culture and Arts Centre, Xue Hongquan, a bearer of the intangible cultural heritage of Huaxian shadow puppetry, and his team regularly perform as a resident guest troupe. If you would like to include a performance in your plans, check the event schedule in advance.

Another form of presentation can be found in Weinan Railway Station’s concourse: a seven-metre-high and six-metre-wide illuminated display features a large work of Weinan shadow puppetry. The display operates regularly, and its content is updated seasonally. This offers a contrast between regular theatre performances and a large-scale presentation at the station.

Old Street, Qin Heritage and Architecture

Weinan Old Street lies at the foot of Changshouyuan, on the banks of the Youhe River, in what was once a busy part of Weinan’s old town. Its three distinctive structures are the gate tower, the stage terrace and the Wenchang Pavilion. There are also 25 replica buildings of various sizes and heights, modelled on residential architecture from the Ming and Qing dynasties.

At the southern end of Old Street lies the Qin Culture and Heritage Park. It was built on the remains of a Qin-era book-burning platform. The platform is designated as provincially protected cultural heritage and is said to be the only surviving example among several platforms of this kind.

Wangyue Tower is a well-known landmark on Weinan Old Street; visitors can climb it and enjoy views of the surrounding area. Before visiting, check whether access is currently available. The northern part of Old Street is devoted to Qin opera, large-scale dance and theatre performances, and presentations of folk culture. Specific programmes may change.

Scenic Views Along the Youhe River

Many of Linwei’s eight famous scenic views are concentrated along the Youhe River. They include Xiangshan in the rain, the moonlit night view of the Youhe, Ruiquan Waterfall, the autumn view from Fengyuan and snow on Fengmen. The scenes range from a waterfall and a nighttime riverside view to rain, autumn and snow, highlighting the variety of the regional landscape.

Discover more destinations: Ankang, Yulin, Linfen, Lvliang, Baoji, Yuncheng, Changzhi, Yangquan

For the broader travel overview: Shaanxi.