1. Historical Significance
Founded in 1087 AD during the Northern Song Dynasty, the Forest of Stone Steles Museum (碑林博物馆, Bēilín Bówùguǎn) began as a repository for the Tang-era *Kaicheng Stone Classics* (837 AD) and *Stone Classic of Filial Piety* (745 AD). Originally part of Xi’an’s Confucian Temple, it became Shaanxi’s principal museum in 1944 and was renamed in 1992 to reflect its vast collection. Recognized as a "National Top-Tier Protected Cultural Site" (1961) and part of UNESCO’s Silk Road dossier, it spans 31,000 m² with 11,000+ artifacts.
2. Architectural & Collection Highlights
- Layout: "One Axis, Two Wings" design:
- Central Axis: Confucian Temple (Ming-Qing architecture) with Lingxing Gate, Halberd Gate, and 8 stele pavilions.
- East Wing: Buddhist Stone Carvings Gallery (Chang’an Buddhist Art).
- West Wing: Tomb Stone Carvings Gallery (e.g., "Six Steeds of Zhao Mausoleum").
- Key Exhibits:
- *Kaicheng Stone Classics*: 114 steles engraved with 650,252 characters of 13 Confucian texts (Tang-Qing).
- *Nestorian Stele* (781 AD): Documents Christianity’s Tang-era spread in Syriac/Chinese.
- Calligraphy Steles: Tang masters like Ouyang Xun, Yan Zhenqing, and Liu Gongquan.
- Imperial Relics: Qin Shi Huang’s *Mount Yi Carving* replica, Han dynasty *Cao Quan Stele*.
3. Cultural & Artistic Value
- Calligraphy: Showcases seal, clerical, regular, running, and cursive scripts across dynasties.
- Rubbings: Visitors can purchase ink rubbings of famous steles.
- Performances: Tang-style cultural shows and interactive calligraphy workshops.
4. Visitor Experience
- Hours: 8:00 AM–6:45 PM (summer); 8:00 AM–6:00 PM (winter).
- Tickets: ¥75 (peak season: Mar–Nov), ¥50 (off-season: Dec–Feb).
- Guides: English audio guides (¥30) and live tours (¥100–200).
- Nearby: Xi’an City Wall (5-min walk), Bell Tower.
5. Recent Upgrades (2025)
The new North Zone (32,000 m²) features:
- "Stellar Glow Over Chang’an" Exhibition: 26 rare steles themed on Wang Xizhi, Tang Buddhism, and stele preservation.
- Multimedia Displays: 3D reconstructions of damaged steles and AR calligraphy demonstrations.
A testament to China’s literary and artistic legacy, the museum bridges ancient wisdom with modern curation, offering a deep dive into 2,000 years of civilization.
