The list of Chinese cultural relics forbidden to be exhibited abroad (Chinese: s=禁止出境展览文物|p=Jìnzhǐ Chūjìng Zhǎnlǎn Wénwù) comprises a list of antiquities and archaeological artifacts held by various museums and other institutions in the People's Republic of China, which the Chinese government has officially prohibited, since 2003, from being taken abroad for exhibition. Many of the relics on the list symbolize the breakthrough of archaeological discoveries that were made in China since the mid-20th century, when archaeology as a modern science began to take root in China. These items are among the most important excavated treasures in China, and have a particular historical, cultural or artistic significance.
In June 2012, the State Administration of Cultural Heritage announced the second batch of 37 cultural relics forbidden to be exhibited abroad, covering paintings and works of calligraphy.[1] In August 2013, a third batch of 94 items were announced, most of which are treasures excavated at archaeological sites.[2]
According to Article 49 of the Regulations for the Implementation of the Law of the People's Republic of China on Protection of Cultural Relics (State Council Decree No. 377) promulgated on 18 May 2003:
The only existing or fragile relics among the grade-one relics are prohibited from being taken out of the country for exhibition. The catalogue of cultural relics prohibited from being taken out of the country for exhibition shall be made public on a regular basis by the competent cultural relics administrative department of the State Council.
A first list of sixty-four cultural relics that are forbidden to be exhibited abroad was published by the State Administration of Cultural Heritage on 19 January 2002 (a year before the above regulation was enacted).
In addition to the list of items explicitly prohibited from being exhibited abroad, cultural relics that fall within one of the following five categories are also prohibited from being exhibited outside of China:
Furthermore, cultural relics may not be sent abroad for exhibition if they have not previously been officially exhibited within China.
In 2002, the State Administration of Cultural Heritage announced its first list of 64 first-grade cultural relics that are forbidden to be taken out of mainland China for exhibition.
| Name | Period | Place of discovery | Date of discovery | Current location | Image | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coloured pottery pot depicting a stork, a fish, and a stone axe (彩绘鹳鱼石斧图陶缸)[3] | Neolithic | 1978 | National Museum of China, Beijing | |||
| Pottery ding vessel in the form of an eagle, from the Yangshao culture (陶鹰鼎)[4] | 1958 | National Museum of China, Beijing | ||||
| Houmuwu ding (后母戊鼎)[5] | Shang dynasty (1600–1046 BCE) | 1939 | National Museum of China, Beijing | |||
| Li gui, a bronze wine cup with an inscription commemorating King Wu of Zhou's defeat of the Shang dynasty (利簋)[6] | Western Zhou (1046–771 BCE) | 1976 | National Museum of China, Beijing | |||
| Da Yu ding, a bronze ding cauldron cast by Yu, with an inscription dated the 23rd year of the reign of King Kang of Zhou (大盂鼎)[7] | Western Zhou (1046–771 BCE) | National Museum of China, Beijing | ||||
| Guoji Zibai pan, a bronze trough with an inscription commemorating the defeat of Xianyun people by Duke Xuan of Guo in the 12th year of the reign of King Xuan of Zhou (虢季子白盘)[8] | Western Zhou (1046–771 BCE) | National Museum of China, Beijing | ||||
| Four phoenix crowns from the tomb of the Wanli Emperor (凤冠)[9] | Ming dynasty (1368–1644) | 1957 | National Museum of China, Beijing | |||
| Ivory cup inlaid with turquoise, from the tomb of Fu Hao (嵌綠松石象牙杯)[10] | Shang dynasty (1600–1046 BCE) | 1976 | Chinese Academy of Social Sciences Institute of Archaeology | |||
| Jin Hou Su zhong, a set of 16 ceremonial bronze bianzhong bells from the tomb of Marquis Xian of Jin (晉侯蘇鍾)[11] | Western Zhou (1046–771 BCE) | Shanghai Museum | ||||
| Da Ke ding, a bronze ding cauldron cast by Ke during the reign of King Xiao of Zhou (大克鼎)[12] | Western Zhou (1046–771 BCE) | 1890 | Shanghai Museum | |||
| Taibao ding, a bronze ding cauldron cast by the Duke of Shao during the reign of King Cheng of Zhou (太保鼎)[13] | Western Zhou (1046–771 BCE) | Tianjin Museum | ||||
| Red lacquered bowl from the Hemudu culture (河姆渡出土朱漆碗)[14] | Neolithic | 1977 | Zhejiang Provincial Museum, Hangzhou | |||
| Pottery stove from the Hemudu culture (河姆渡出土陶灶)[15] | Neolithic | 1977 | Zhejiang Provincial Museum, Hangzhou | |||
| Royal Jade cong from the Liangzhu culture (良渚出土玉琮王)[16] | Neolithic | 1986 | Zhejiang Institute of Archaeology | |||
| Warring States crystal glass (水晶杯)[17] | Warring States period (475–221 BCE) | 1990 | Zhejiang Institute of Archaeology | |||
| Bronze stand for ceremonial vessels from the tomb of the son of King Zhuang of Chu (淅川出土銅禁)[18] | Spring and Autumn period (771–403 BCE) | 1978 | Henan Museum, Zhengzhou | |||
| Pair of square bronze jars from the tomb of the Duke of Zheng(新鄭出士蓮鶴銅方壺)[19] | Spring and Autumn period (771–403 BCE) | 1923 | Palace Museum, Beijing Henan Museum, Zhengzhou | |||
| Rectangular bronze mirror from the tomb of the Prince of Qi (齐王墓青铜方镜)[20] | Western Han (206 BCE – 9 CE) | 1980 | Zibo Museum | |||
| Bronze ding vessel from the tomb of the King of Chu (铸客大铜鼎)[21] | Warring States period (475–221 BCE) | 1933 | Anhui Provincial Museum, Hefei | |||
| Lacquered wooden platform shoes from the tomb of Zhu Ran (朱然墓出土漆木屐) | Three Kingdoms (Eastern Wu) | 1984 | Zhu Ran Family Cemetery Museum | |||
| Lacquered picture plate from the tomb of Zhu Ran (朱然墓出土贵族生活图漆盘)[22] | Three Kingdoms (Eastern Wu) | 1984 | Zhu Ran Family Cemetery Museum | |||
| Painted lacquer wooden screen depicting scenes of filial sons and virtuous women in Chinese history, from the tomb of Sima Jinlong (司马金龙墓出土漆屏)[23] | Northern Wei (386–534) | 1965 | Datong Museum | |||
| Mural depicting horse riders from the tomb of Lou Rui (娄睿墓鞍马出行图壁画)[24] | Northern Qi (550–577) | 1979 | Shanxi Institute of Archaeology | |||
| Memorial stone engraved with illustrations of Buddhist Stories (涅槃变相碑) | Tang dynasty (618–907) | Shanxi Museum, Taiyuan | ||||
| Stone sculpture of a Daoist deity (常阳太尊石像) | Tang dynasty (618–907) | Shanxi Museum, Taiyuan | ||||
| Jade ceremonial dagger-axe (大玉戈)[25] | Shang dynasty (1600–1046 BCE) | 1974 | Hubei Provincial Museum, Wuhan | |||
| Bianzhong of Marquis Yi of Zeng[26] | Warring States period (475–221 BCE) | 1978 | Hubei Provincial Museum, Wuhan | |||
| Carved and lacquered wooden outer coffin from the tomb of Marquis Yi of Zeng (曾侯乙墓外棺)[27] | Warring States period (475–221 BCE) | 1978 | Hubei Provincial Museum, Wuhan | |||
| Pair of intricately decorated bronze food and wine vessels cast using the lost-wax process from the tomb of Marquis Yi of Zeng (曾侯乙青铜尊盘)[28] | Warring States period (475–221 BCE) | 1978 | Hubei Provincial Museum, Wuhan | |||
| Wooden screen with carved images of phoenixes and deer, decorated with polychromatic lacquer (彩漆木雕小座屏)[29] | Warring States period (475–221 BCE) | 1965 | Hubei Provincial Museum, Wuhan | |||
| Clay sculpture of the head of a goddess, inlaid with jade eyes, from the Hongshan culture temple at Niuheliang (红山文化女神像)[30] | Neolithic | 1983 | Liaoning Institute of Archaeology | |||
| Duck-shaped glass object (鸭形玻璃注)[31] | Northern Yan (407–436) | 1965 | Liaoning Province Museum, Shenyang | |||
| 4 metre tall bronze tree with a dragon curling up the trunk, and leaves, fruit and birds on the branches (青铜神树)[32] | Shang dynasty (1600–1046 BCE) | 1986 | Sichuan Institute of Archaeology | |||
| Ceremonial jade object with engraved drawings of stylized human figures (三星堆出土玉边璋)[33] | Shang dynasty (1600–1046 BCE) | 1986 | Sichuan Institute of Archaeology | |||
| 2 metre tall bronze tree with coins on its branches and a phoenix perched at the top (摇钱树)[34] | Eastern Han (25–220) | 1990 | Mianyang Museum | |||
| Gansu Flying Horse (铜奔马)[35] | Eastern Han (25–220) | 1969 | Gansu Provincial Museum, Lanzhou | |||
| The Qin bronze chariots, from the Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor (铜车马)[36] | Qin dynasty (221–206 BCE) | 1980 | Museum of the Terracotta Warriors and Horses of Qin Shihuang, Lintong | |||
| Shi Qiang pan[37] | Western Zhou (1046–771 BCE) | 1967 | Baoji Bronzeware Museum | |||
| Large bronze ding vessel with three handles and ox-head decoration (淳化大鼎)[38] | Western Zhou (1046–771 BCE) | 1979 | Chunhua Museum | |||
| Bronze He zun, with an inscription recording the construction of the capital at Luoyang by King Cheng of Zhou[39] | Western Zhou (1046–771 BCE) | 1963 | Baoji Bronzeware Museum | |||
| Stone sculptures from the tomb of Huo Qubing at the mausoleum of Emperor Wu of Han at Maoling (茂陵石雕)[40] | Western Han (206 BCE – 9 CE) | Maoling Museum, Xianyang | ||||
| Xi'an Stele — a stele recording the introduction of Christianity into China in 635 (大秦景教流行中国碑)[41] | Tang dynasty (618–907) | Shaanxi | 1623 | Xi'an Beilin Museum, Xi'an | ||
| Gilt silver jug imitating the shape of a leather water bottle, with a design of prancing horses Hejia Village hoard (舞马衔杯仿皮囊式银壶)[42] | Tang dynasty (618–907) | 1970 | Shaanxi History Museum, Xi'an | |||
| Zoomorphic drinking horn made from agate Hejia Village hoard (兽首玛瑙杯)[43] | Tang dynasty (618–907) | 1970 | Shaanxi History Museum, Xi'an | |||
| Bronze bell cast in 711, weighing 6,500 kg, originally from the bell tower at the Tang capital Chang'an (景云铜钟)[44] | Tang dynasty (618–907) | Xi'an Beilin Museum, Xi'an | ||||
| Gilt and silvered monk's staff donated to Famen Temple by Emperor Yizong of Tang in 873 (银花双轮十二环锡杖)[45] | Tang dynasty (618–907) | 1987 | Famen Temple Museum, Fufeng | |||
| Set of eight nested relic boxes containing a relic supposed to be a finger bone from Śākyamuni Buddha, from Famen Temple (八重宝函)[46] | Tang dynasty (618–907) | 1987 | Famen Temple Museum, Fufeng | |||
| Bronze model pagoda from Famen Temple (铜浮屠)[47] | Tang dynasty (618–907) | 1987 | Famen Temple Museum, Fufeng | |||
| "Five stars rising in the East" armband ("五星出东方"护膊)[48] | Eastern Han (25–220) to Jin (266–420) | 1995 | Xinjiang Institute of Archaeology | |||
| Bronze table frame inlaid with gold and silver, decorated with figures of four dragons and four phoenixes (错金银四龙四凤铜方案座)[49] | Warring States period (475–221 BCE) | 1974 | Hebei Museum | |||
| Bronze ding vessel with iron feet from the tomb of the King of Zhongshan (中山王铁足铜鼎)[50] | Warring States period (475–221 BCE) | 1977 | Hebei Museum | |||
| Jade burial suit from the tomb of Liu Sheng, Prince of Zhongshan (刘胜金缕玉衣)[51] | Western Han (206 BCE – 9 CE) | 1968 | Hebei Provincial Museum, Shijiazhuang | |||
| Gilt bronze lamp in the shape of a serving girl, from the tomb of Lady Dou Wan (长信宫灯)[52] | Western Han (206 BCE – 9 CE) | 1968 | Hebei Provincial Museum, Shijiazhuang | |||
| Five bronze pieces from an otherwise decayed folding screen, from the tomb of the King of Nanyue (铜屏风构件5件)[53] | Western Han (206 BCE – 9 CE) | 1983 | Museum of the Mausoleum of the Nanyue King, Guangzhou | |||
| Horn-shaped jade cup from the tomb of the King of Nanyue (角形玉杯)[54] | Western Han (206 BCE – 9 CE) | 1983 | Museum of the Mausoleum of the Nanyue King, Guangzhou | |||
| Silk painting depicting a man riding a dragon (人物御龙帛画)[55] | Warring States period (475–221 BCE) | 1949 | Hunan Provincial Museum, Changsha | |||
| Silk painting depicting a man with a dragon and a phoenix (人物龙凤帛画)[56] | Warring States period (475–221 BCE) | 1949 | Hunan Provincial Museum, Changsha | |||
| Plain gauze robe from the tomb of the Marquis of Dai at Mawangdui (直裾素纱禅衣)[57] | Western Han (206 BCE – 9 CE) | 1972 | Hunan Provincial Museum, Changsha | |||
| Wooden outer coffin from the tomb of the Marquis of Dai at Mawangdui (马王堆一号墓木棺椁) | Western Han (206 BCE – 9 CE) | 1972 | Hunan Provincial Museum, Changsha | |||
| T-shaped silk funeral banner from the tomb of the Marquis of Dai at Mawangdui (马王堆一号墓T型帛画)[58] | Western Han (206 BCE – 9 CE) | 1972 | Hunan Provincial Museum, Changsha | |||
| Brocade banner depicting the Sun God and hunting scenes (红地云珠日天锦)[59] | Northern dynasties (386–581) | 1983 | Qinghai Institute of Archaeology | |||
| Nine volumes of Buddhist texts written in the Tangut language that were printed using wooden movable type, from Baisigou Square Pagoda (西夏文佛经《吉祥遍至口和本续》纸本)[60] | Western Xia (1038–1227) | 1991 | Ningxia Institute of Archaeology | |||
| Red-glazed pottery model of a granary (青花釉里红瓷仓)[61] | Yuan dynasty (1271–1368) | 1974 | Jiangxi Provincial Museum, Nanchang | |||
| Picture of the Seven Sages of the Bamboo Grove composed from more than 300 moulded bricks (竹林七贤砖印模画)[62] | Southern dynasties (420–589) | 1960 | Nanjing Museum |