Overseas Chinese Museum ​- museum in Xiamen dedicated to overseas Chinese

Last Update: 15th October 2020

With an area of 5 hectares, Overseas Chinese Museum was established by Chen Jiageng (1874 – 1961). The palace-style structure is built with granite. It is the only one set up by the overseas Chinese. The museum introduces contributions of the overseas to the residence country and China.

Overseas Chinese Museum Fast Facts
  • Chinese Name: Huaqiao Bowuyuan (华侨博物院)
  • Area: 5 x hectares
  • Things to do there: Photography, Overseas Chinese History
  • Who visits: Photographers, History Lovers
  • Time required: 1 x hour
Interested in visting the Overseas Chinese Museum on a Tour?

Wendy Wei Tours offers a variety of different packaged tours as well as custom tours including the Overseas Chinese Museum, among other attractions and destinations. To find out more, please visit our Tours page or Contact Us directly to find out more.

What to expect at the Overseas Chinese Museum

The Overseas Chinese Museum collects more than 7,000 exhibits.

 

Brief History Hall of the Overseas Chinese on the ground floor demonstrates how the first overseas Chinese settled and developed in the residence country. Walk to the World tells they took the ancient ships to other countries and even other continents to settle through miniatures of the ships, and pictures. Start a Business Overseas reflects the hardship of the first overseas Chinese had experienced in the residence country through the imitated Yada House, and and the imitated old folk street of the Southeast Asia and old daily use articles donated by overseas Chinese.

Integrate with Locals Part depicts overseas Chinese stick to the Chinese culture, traditional Chinese customs, speak Mandarin, and spread them to the residence country. On the other hand, they learn and absorb the local culture and customs to get on well with locals harmoniously. Set Down Roots introduces the fact that after the Second World War, overseas Chinese applied for and succeeded in getting the local nationality to demonstrate their own political identification. They kept learning, and doing business to keep pace with the time.

 

Distant Origin and Long Development presents the contributions to China of overseas Chinese, building hotels and schools and holing various charity activities. You can also find exquisite handicrafts of the Southeast Asia, such as Thai Buddha statues, Cambodian reliefs, and the ancient musical instruments of Indonesia.

 

The first floor presents the precious historical and cultural items from the Shang Dynasty (1600 BC – 1046 BC) to the Ming Dynasty (1368 – 1644), including old bronze wares, ceramics, old coins, calligraphy and painting works, and ancient carvings. The Nature Hall presents more than 150 specimens of birds and beasts to summon the public to protect animals, environment and the earth.

Best time to visit the Overseas Chinese Museum

You can visit the museum any time during the opening hours.

 

The best months to visit are from March to November.

 

How to get to the Overseas Chinese Museum

Several buses pass by the museum. Thus, there are several options.

  • Rent a vehicle to the museum. This is the quickest and most direct option.
  • Take Bus 1, 2, 15, 20, 21, 22, 29, 45, 48, 96, 122, 135, 659, 841, 857, 950 or Bus 959 to the Stop of Bowuguan (博物馆站). Then walk to the museum.
Additional Overseas Chinese Museum Travel Advice
  • Opening hours: 09:30 – 16:30 from Tuesday to Sunday. It is closed on Mondays.
  • As at 15th October 2020, tourists can visit the museum for free.
  • Please keep quiet in the museum.
Interested in visiting the Overseas Chinese Museum on a Tour?

Wendy Wei Tours offers a variety of different packaged tours as well as custom tours including the Overseas Chinese Museum, among other attractions and destinations. To find out more, please visit our Tours page or Contact Us directly to find out more.