Guangzhou Museum of Art Special Exhibition "Qingzhou Smile" - Ancient Qingzhou Buddhist Sculpture Art Exhibition. Multiple ticket options available.

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I. Exhibition Introduction

The exhibition "Qingzhou Smile: Ancient Qingzhou Buddhist Sculpture Art Exhibition" has landed at the Guangzhou Museum of Art, marking the first large-scale and high-profile special exhibition of Buddhist sculptures from Longxing Temple in Qingzhou in South China. The exhibition features 62 national treasure-level stone carvings, including 22 national first-class cultural relics. These artifacts span nearly five hundred years, from the Northern Wei, Eastern Wei, Northern Qi, Sui Dynasty to the Northern Song Dynasty, comprehensively showcasing the unique development of the "Qingzhou style" of Buddhist sculpture.

All exhibits originate from the Longxing Temple hoard site in Qingzhou, one of the top ten archaeological discoveries in China in 1996. Ancient Qingzhou was located at the crossroads of the land and sea Silk Roads. The art of Gandhara and Gupta from abroad blended and coexisted with the local aesthetics of the Central Plains and Shandong, giving birth to the gentle, warm, and healing "Qingzhou Smile," which redefines the aesthetics of Eastern sculpture and rewrites the history of the development of Eastern sculpture.

The exhibition hall employs a tranquil, immersive lighting design, using low-saturation soft light to focus on the faces of the statues, revealing the restrained and serene smiles of Buddhas across the ages. From the elegant and refined figures of the Northern Wei Dynasty, the softened style of the Eastern Wei Dynasty, to the artistic peak of the Northern Qi Dynasty with its draped, form-fitting garments, and then to the secularized statues of the Sui, Tang, and Northern Song Dynasties, the exhibition progressively showcases the complete evolution of Northern Dynasties stone carving art. The exhibits retain traces of gilding and mineral pigment painting from over a thousand years ago, allowing visitors to experience firsthand the superb carving skills of ancient artisans.

The exhibition features numerous national treasures, including a Northern Qi Dynasty gilded and painted standing Buddha statue, a contemplative Bodhisattva, and a Vairocana Buddha statue. The bases of the statues bear inscriptions by numerous donors, truthfully recording the sincere wishes of ordinary people for peace and blessings during turbulent times, imbuing the cold stone carvings with profound human warmth. The exhibition atmosphere is tranquil and soothing, suitable for solitary contemplation, romantic photo opportunities for couples, and family art education.

II. Optional Ticketing Options

1. Official Guided Tour Ticket: Includes admission to the special exhibition + a professional guide throughout the tour, providing in-depth interpretation of the background of the cultural relics, the aesthetics of the sculptures and the history of the Silk Road, allowing you to immerse yourself in the millennia-old heritage of the exhibits.

2. Full-price adult ticket: Applicable to single admission for ordinary adults aged 18–65.

3. Half-price tickets: applicable to students, seniors and other eligible groups with valid identification. Valid identification is required for entry.

4. 1 Adult + 1 Child Family Ticket: A package ticket for one adult and one child, suitable for small families visiting the exhibition.

5. 2 Adults + 1 Child Family Ticket: A family ticket for 2 adults and 1 child, offering better value for the whole family.

III. Suitable for

This event is suitable for art lovers, history and cultural heritage enthusiasts, families with children engaging in art-themed activities, students on extracurricular study tours, couples on artistic dates, individuals seeking quiet relaxation and stress relief, and those looking for artistic photography opportunities.

IV. Exhibition Viewing Tips

1. The exhibition hall has a solemn and quiet atmosphere. Please keep quiet while visiting the exhibition and do not touch the stone carvings.

2. The exhibition hall is dimly lit. To protect the thousand-year-old painted and gilded traces, please do not use flash when taking photos.

3. For family visits, it is recommended to purchase guided tour tickets. Professional guided tours can help children gain a deeper understanding of history and art aesthetics.

4. When purchasing a discounted ticket for entry, please be sure to bring your student ID, senior citizen card, or other valid identification for on-site verification.

V. Exhibition Time Guidelines

1. Applicable exhibition period: June 20, 2026 to December 19, 2026. Tickets are required to make reservations for visits during the exhibition period.

2. Opening hours: Closed on Mondays (except public holidays), Tuesday to Sunday 09:00–20:30.

3. Entry Deadline: Ticket checking will stop half an hour before closing time. Entry will not be permitted after 20:00 on the day of entry. Please plan your arrival time accordingly.

II. Instructions for Reservation (Must Read)

This exhibition adopts a reservation system. In order to avoid queuing and crowding on site and to ensure the best viewing experience, please be sure to make a reservation for your visit time after purchasing your ticket.

1. Reservation Channel: After purchasing tickets, please search for "Fanfu Yinian Ticket Reservation" on WeChat Mini Program and select your preferred time slot for the visit.

2. Reservation requirements: Reservations must be made at least 1 hour in advance; if the venue is booked out or a time slot is full, you can reschedule for another available time slot.

III. Parking Guide

The Guangzhou Museum of Art offers paid parking, but spaces are limited. Please follow the on-site signs to enter and exit through East Gate 2.

IV. Public Transportation Guide

[Subway Route]

1. Line 12: Chigang Pagoda Station (Exit B), about a 1-minute walk away.

2. Line 3 and APM Line: Canton Tower Station (Exit B), approximately a 12-minute walk.

3. Line 3 and Line 8: Kecun Station (Exit A), about a 15-minute walk.

[Bus Route]

1. Guangzhou Museum of Art Station: Bus routes 262, 93, and 765

2. Yizhou Road East Station: Bus routes 11 and 765

3. Zhujiang Dijinyuan Bus Terminal: Tourist Line 2, 204, 121, 121A, 262

4. Chigang Pagoda Station: Bus routes 11, 121, 121A, 204, 93, Tourist Line 2, and Tourist Sightseeing Line 1

5. Canton Tower Station: Bus routes 11, 262, 468, and Tourist Sightseeing Line 1