Children play with an installation showing the international code flags at the voyage-themed exhibition at Shenzhen Museum.

Embark on an extraordinary journey at a voyage-themed exhibition at the Shenzhen Museum, as the exhibition is a gateway for children to delve into the remarkable maritime stories that shaped our world.

The “Reaching for the Horizon: Great Voyages of Discovery Connecting the World” exhibition showcases 265 pieces and sets of items spanning from the 15th to the 19th centuries that come from not only the Shenzhen Museum’s collection, but are also on loan from China Maritime Museum in Shanghai, China Port Museum in Ningbo, China (Hainan) Museum of the South China Sea in Qionghai, and the Southern University of Science and Technology in Shenzhen.

At the opening of the exhibition, children were mostly fascinated in the “Maritime Tools and Techniques” section, in which they were attracted by a large collection of antique voyage tools and devices, such as compasses, octants, astronomical clocks, a nautical barometer clock and an astrolabe.

They were also irresistibly drawn to a screen showcasing semaphores. This section discusses the advancements in astronomy, mathematics, navigation and shipbuilding technologies, which are the foundation of ocean navigation.

An array of meticulously crafted sailing ship models in the “Setting Sail for Distant Voyages” section recounts several famous voyages of the East and the West during the Age of Discovery in the 15th-17th centuries, which opened up new sea routes and connected the world as a whole. In the “Maritime Rivalries” section, sailing ship models and images vividly depict the historic naval conflicts that reshaped the geopolitical landscape.

Transitioning to the “Different Places, Same Sky” segment, visitors can admire an array of splendid voyage-themed artworks and crafts in the narrative of global exchanges in culture and art. Two modern ocean bottom seismometers shown in this section serve as a testament to the remarkable maritime explorations of the modern era, symbolizing humanity’s enduring connection with the vast oceans.

Dates: Through Oct. 12

Booking: WeChat account “iszbwg”

Venue: Shenzhen Museum’s Ancient Art Division, Futian District (深圳博物館古代藝術館)

Metro: Line 9 to Hongling South Station (紅嶺南站), Exit A