Three Gorges Museum

Sitting on the west side of People’s Square, directly opposite the domed Great Hall of the People, the Three Gorges Museum is Chongqing’s major history museum and one of the most comprehensive in western China. Its collection spans Bayu-era bronzes and Han dynasty sculpture through to a large “Magnificent Three Gorges” exhibit documenting the landscape and communities affected by the Three Gorges Dam project.

The building itself is worth a look: a distinctive dome and curved glass-and-sandstone facade meant to evoke both water and mountain. Inside, four floors cover Chongqing’s ancient history, the natural and cultural story of the Three Gorges, and the city’s more recent development, with a mix of artefacts, models, and multimedia displays.

Entry is free, though the museum is closed on Mondays (excluding public holidays). Pairing a visit with a walk across People’s Square to see the Great Hall of the People makes for an easy half-day.