Hello, I’m Lila Jiang, a China travel expert with over 10 years of experience. During these years, I’ve traveled extensively around the world. Next, we’ll explore the splendid history and artistic charm of the Oriental Metropolitan Museum (Six Dynasties). From ancient city ruins to exquisite celadon, from elegant brick paintings to outstanding historical figures, we’ll help you uncover the 1,700-year story of the Six Dynasties period in Nanjing.
Introduction
Quick Facts: The Oriental Metropolitan Museum (Six Dynasties)
- Location: No. 302 Changjiang Road, Xuanwu District, Central Nanjing, China
- Built: Opened in 2014 (on the site of Jiankang City ruins of the Six Dynasties)
- Size: 23,000 sq.m, 4 exhibition halls across 3 floors and 1 basement
- Peak Season: March–May, September–November
- Key Tip: Book tickets online in advance | Free for visitors under 18
- Best Time to Visit: 9:00 am (avoid morning crowds and enjoy natural light)
The Oriental Metropolitan Museum (Six Dynasties) stands on Changjiang Road in central Nanjing, built directly atop the well-preserved ruins of the Jiankang City imperial wall from the Six Dynasties period. Spanning over 1,700 years of history, it was constructed to protect and display the relics of the Eastern Wu, Eastern Jin, Liu Song, Southern Qi, Liang, and Chen dynasties—six successive regimes that made Nanjing their capital from the 3rd to 6th centuries. As China’s most comprehensive site museum dedicated to Six Dynasties artifacts and the most systematic thematic museum for Six Dynasties culture, it houses over 2,000 precious relics, including celadon wares, brick paintings, stone carvings, and daily utensils. Designed by renowned architect Pei Chienchung (son of I. M. Pei), the museum blends modern minimalism with traditional Chinese aesthetics, using natural light and spatial design to create an immersive journey into the elegant, prosperous world of the Six Dynasties. In Nanjing, the “Six Dynasties” legacy defines the city’s soul, and this museum is the ultimate gateway to understanding its golden age as an ancient oriental metropolis.
Tickets & Opening Hours
2026 Oriental Metropolitan Museum ticket booking is straightforward—here’s all you need to know about official tickets and visiting rules.
- Tickets: 30 RMB (~4.2 USD) for adults; 15 RMB (~2.1 USD) for students (half-price). Free for visitors under 18 and seniors over 70 years old. Book online via the official WeChat mini-program “Oriental Metropolitan Museum” or “Bo Wu Nanjing” in advance. On-site ticket sales are available but online booking is recommended for faster entry.
- Payment for tickets: Alipay, WeChat Pay, or international credit cards (Visa, Mastercard) on the official booking platform.
- Opening Hours: 8:30 am–6:00 pm (last entry 5:30 pm) daily; closed every Monday (except public holidays and July–August).
Note for international travelers: The official WeChat mini-program supports English language. You can cancel your ticket free of charge 24 hours before your scheduled visit. Passport is required for entry verification.
Main Scenic Areas & Attractions
Six Dynasties Capital Exhibition Hall (Basement)
The core exhibition area built directly above the original Jiankang City imperial wall ruins. It displays architectural fragments, daily utensils, and city layout models unearthed from the site, vividly restoring the grand scale and daily life of the ancient Six Dynasties capital. The highlight is the preserved 1,700-year-old city wall ruins, a tangible link to the past.
Glimpse of the Six Dynasties Hall (1st Floor)
Chronicles the 370-year history of the Six Dynasties, showcasing the rise and fall of each regime, urban development, economic prosperity, and cultural inheritance. Exhibits include official seals, coins, and documents, illustrating how Nanjing became a world-famous oriental metropolis during this era.
Elegance of the Six Dynasties Hall (2nd Floor)
Dedicated to the artistic achievements of the period, featuring a stunning collection of celadon wares, pottery figurines, brick paintings, and stone carvings. The exhibits reflect the refined aesthetics and artistic innovation of the Six Dynasties, especially the iconic celadon with its smooth, jade-like glaze—the signature art form of the era.
Outstanding Figures of the Six Dynasties Hall (3rd Floor)
Honors the influential scholars, artists, statesmen, and religious figures of the Six Dynasties. Through portraits, manuscripts, and historical records, it tells the stories of poets, calligraphers, and philosophers who shaped the cultural identity of southern China, embodying the period’s spirit of literary brilliance and intellectual freedom.
Themed Temporary Exhibition Gallery
Hosts rotating special exhibitions year-round, focusing on Six Dynasties art, ancient ceramics, and cultural exchanges. Past exhibitions include “The Color of China: Cyan” and “City Memories: Nanjing Archaeological Treasures,” featuring rare artifacts from museums nationwide. Free with general admission; no extra ticket required.
Transportation
Figuring out how to get to the Oriental Metropolitan Museum is easy with our guide—we break down the best subway, bus and taxi options.
🚇Subway: Take Line 2 or Line 3 to Daxinggong Station (Exit 2). Walk 200 meters north along Changjiang Road to reach the museum entrance.
🚌Bus: Buses 29, 44, 65, 95 stop at Presidential Palace Station. Walk 50 meters south to the museum.
🚕Taxi: Ask to go to “Oriental Metropolitan Museum (Changjiang Road)”. It is a well-known cultural landmark. Cost from downtown Nanjing is around 20–35 RMB (~2.8–4.9 USD).
How to buy tickets on arrival: On-site tickets are available at the museum entrance, but online booking via official platforms is recommended to avoid queues.
If you take a taxi from Nanjing Lukou International Airport to the museum, the cost is around 90–110 RMB (~12.5–15.3 USD) and takes 50 minutes. From Nanjing South Railway Station, the taxi cost is about 30–40 RMB (~4.2–5.5 USD) with a 25-minute drive.
Experience & Activities
Guided Tours:
English-speaking guided tours are available. Book online via the official website or Ctrip 1–3 days in advance.
Cost: 200–300 RMB (~27.8–41.7 USD) per group.
Audio Guides:
Rent at the main entrance for 40 RMB (~5.5 USD) with a passport. It supports 40+ languages including English, with detailed explanations of every relic and historical site.
Volunteer Lectures:
Free 45-minute lectures by “Six Dynasties Cyan” volunteers daily at 9:30 am and 4:00 pm. Topics include Six Dynasties art, celadon craftsmanship, and historical figures. No booking required; arrive early for a seat.
Practical Tips & Etiquette
- No smoking, eating, or drinking inside exhibition halls (only allowed in designated rest areas).
- Do not touch artifacts, display cabinets, or ancient ruins—fines up to 2,000 RMB (~278 USD).
- Weekends and holidays are crowded—arrive by 9:00 am to avoid long queues and enjoy natural light in the galleries.
- Wear comfortable walking shoes—you’ll walk 2–3 hours to cover all exhibition halls.
- Photography is allowed (no flash) in most areas; some temporary exhibitions may prohibit photography.
- Free lockers are available at the main entrance for large luggage, which is prohibited inside the museum. Free drinking water stations are located near the basement and 2nd-floor rest areas, so bring a reusable water bottle to save money.
Food
Inside the Oriental Metropolitan Museum:
A small cafe near the main entrance sells simple snacks (25–35 RMB/~3.5–4.9 USD), bottled water (5 RMB/~0.7 USD), and Six Dynasties-themed pastries. Food options are limited.
Nearby (within 1km):
“Laomen Street Snack House”: Famous Nanjing local snacks, including salted duck and duck blood vermicelli soup. Meal for 2: ~100 RMB (~13.9 USD).
“Changjiang Road Huaiyang Restaurant”: Authentic Huaiyang cuisine with classic dishes like braised pork ribs and steamed fish. Price: ~240 RMB/~33.3 USD for 2.
Street food near Daxinggong Station: Osmanthus glutinous rice cake (10 RMB/~1.4 USD), fried stinky tofu (15 RMB/~2.1 USD), and Nanjing sesame cakes.
With this guide, you’ll know the best time to visit the Oriental Metropolitan Museum and fully immerse yourself in the elegant Six Dynasties culture and history of Nanjing in 2026.
Lila Jiang
She is Lila Jiang, a 28-year-old girl.
With over 10 years in the travel industry, she’s chased wanderlust near and far;
what she loves most is diving into local cultures,
finding hidden gems, and connecting with people who bring journeys to life.