Walking into Oriental Dawn: General History Exhibition, stone tools and pottery from the prehistoric Tenghualuo Site show the primitive life of coastal ancestors who cultivated land and boiled seawater for salt. In Writings on Ancient Bamboos: Yinwan Han Bamboo Slips Gallery, the precious Yinwan Han bamboo slips catch my eyes. These tiny characters were written by Shi Rao, an official of the Eastern Han Dynasty, recording household registers and daily government affairs of Donghai Prefecture, presenting authentic official life of ancient China.
At An Eternal Mystery: Exhibition of Han Dynasty Mummy Ling Huiping, the well-preserved Han mummy and burial jade uncover the unsolved burial secrets of Han nobles. Later, I toured Journey to the West Culture Exhibition Hall, where ancient prints and vintage exhibits trace the origin of the world-famous novel. I finished my visit in Yan Han Fine Arts Exhibition Hall and ancient stele garden, immersed in Haizhou’s long art history.
In half a day’s tour, relics lead me through prehistoric civilization, Han Dynasty history and folk legends. Every antique tells the coastal city’s past, letting me fully understand the profound history of Lianyungang.
