Locals and tourists flocked to Shenzhen Museum’s two divisions Saturday as three new exhibitions opened in celebration of International Museum Day. This year’s theme, “Museums for Education and Research,” underscores the pivotal role of cultural institutions in providing a holistic educational experience.

At a ceremony, donors who generously contributed relics to Shenzhen Museum were honored with certificates acknowledging their valuable additions to the museum’s collection. Simultaneously, the museum launched Phase 1 of its collection database, now accessible on its official website (https://www.shenzhenmuseum.com), allowing history enthusiasts to explore a treasure trove of ancient relics.

A string of exciting events were also held Saturday. A relics-cleaning workshop, co-organized by the Shenzhen Museum and the Conservation Office of the Hong Kong SAR Government Leisure and Cultural Services Department, shed light on the scientific techniques and technologies involved in relic conservation.

The Futian District Disabled Persons Federation arranged a special visit for individuals with disabilities to Shenzhen Museum, providing guided tours of the exhibitions.

In the evening, a special “night at the museum” event captivated locals as they participated in a seal-engraving activity led by experts in intangible cultural heritage.

The three new exhibitions promise a diverse and intriguing experience, blending history, culture and science for visitors of all backgrounds. Booking is required via the “深圳博物館” WeChat miniprogram.

‘The Past and Present of Giant Pandas’

Co-organized by Shenzhen Museum and Chongqing Natural History Museum, this science popularization exhibition showcases fossils, specimens and models of giant pandas, their ancestors and coexisting wild animals. Apart from admiring adorable panda models and specimens at the exhibition, visitors will gain an understanding of how pandas have endured various challenges during their 8-million-year evolution. The exhibition also emphasizes the importance of protecting endangered species and biodiversity.

Dates: Through Oct. 31

Venue: Shenzhen Museum’s History and Folk Culture Division, Futian District (深圳博物館歷史民俗館)

Metro: Line 2 or 4 to Civic Center Station (市民中心站), Exit B

‘Poem of Flora — Flora World in Medieval Chinese Paintings’

This unique exhibition combines botany with ancient relics, offering a visually stimulating display. Featuring ancient carved stones and rubbings depicting willow, orchid, Chinese fan palm, hardy banana and bamboo, alongside plant specimens and ancient poems, the exhibition provides insights into ancient Chinese people’s lives with plants and how they expressed their emotion with plants. On loan from Shenzhen Goldstone Museum, the carved stones date back to the Northern Dynasties (439-581), narrating these plant stories from ancient times.

Dates: Through July 18

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

‘Seals Treasured by Qizhai’

Featuring 130 seals and cultural artifacts donated by renowned paleographer, epigrapher and calligrapher Shang Chengzuo (1902-1991) and his family, the exhibits span from the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) to the present day. The collection offers a panorama of Chinese seal-engraving history and art, reflecting the refined artistic tastes of traditional literati. The seals collected by Qizhai (Shang’s literary name), predominantly from the Ming and Qing (1644-1911) dynasties, were once used by writers, epigraphers, seal-engraving artists, and collectors.

Dates: Permanent

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

A visitor admires seals at the “Seals Treasured by Qizhai” exhibition.

Plastinated specimens of a panda (front) and a brown bear showing their muscular systems are on display at “The Past and Present of Giant Pandas” exhibition.

Visitors admire a rubbing featuring willow images at the “Poem of Flora — Flora World in Medieval Chinese Paintings” exhibition.

Visitors observe specimens of orchids representing various species at the “Poem of Flora — Flora World in Medieval Chinese Paintings” exhibition.

Seals from the Qing Dynasty are on display at the “Seals Treasured by Qizhai” exhibition.

Visitors observe models of baby pandas at various stages of growth at “The Past and Present of Giant Pandas” exhibition.

Giant panda specimens are on display at “The Past and Present of Giant Pandas” exhibition.