Lei Cheng Uk Han Tomb Museum

Current Exhibition

Trade Passages: A Pictorial Exhibition of the Silk Road in the Han Dynasty

The Silk Road was the most remarkable economic achievement in the Han dynasty (206 BC to 220 AD). Trade was no longer confined within the borders of the empire, but was extended to Southeast Asia, Central Asia and even as far as the Mediterranean. From then on, China's external transportation and exchange prospered along the Silk Road by land and sea. Demand arising from trade growth and the opening up of new roads were interdependent. Convenient transport fuelled merchandise exchange among countries, which in turn resulted in diversified development of the material lives and culture of much of humanity at the time. Han silk fabrics were much sought after in foreign countries, whereas the exotic plants, animals and rare materials from other nations also changed the lives of people in the Han dynasty.

Making use of textual illustrations and photographs of relics discovered along the land and sea routes of the Silk Road, this exhibition introduces transportation and trade in the Han dynasty, starting with the Silk Road in the Eastern and Western Han dynasties, to give visitors an understanding of the explosion of trade in the Han dynasty.

About the Museum

The Lei Cheng Uk Han Tomb was discovered in 1955 when the Government was levelling a hill slope at the Lei Cheng Uk Village for the construction of resettlement buildings. According to its structure, inscriptions on the tomb bricks and tomb finds, it is believed that the tomb was built in the Eastern Han dynasty (25–220 AD). The tomb was declared as a gazetted monument in 1988 and is preserved permanently thereafter. Though it is closed to the public for conservation reasons, visitors can still have a glimpse of the interior of the tomb through the glass panel at the entrance passage.

The exhibition hall was built adjacent to the tomb. In addition to the display of pottery and bronze wares excavated from the tomb, there is an exhibition namely "Lei Cheng Uk Han Tomb" on display. Texts, graphics, photos, maps, videos and models are used to introduce the geographical situation, discovery and structure of the tomb. "Trade Passages: A Pictorial Exhibition of the Silk Road in the Han Dynasty" is also on display. Visitors can have a better understanding of the explosion of trade in the Han dynasty.

https://hk.history.museum/en/web/mh/about-us/lei-cheng-uk-han-tomb-museum.html