May 18, 2026 marks the 50th International Museum Day. To mark the occasion, Guangzhou will launch a citywide cultural program under the theme "Museums Uniting a Divided World," with nearly 80 museums across the city participating. The main venue event will take place at the Museum of the Third National Congress of the Communist Party of China (Chunyuan) (中共三大会址纪念馆 春园).
Immersive experience at the main venue
At the main venue, visitors will be invited to experience "Echoes of Chunyuan", an immersive carnival that combines theater, interactive storytelling and historical interpretation inspired by Chunyuan's past. Bringing together elements of Guangzhou history, folk crafts, tea culture and Cantonese Opera, the program offers a one-stop journey through the city's museum culture.
Reservations will open at 11:00 a.m. on May 15 via the official WeChat account of the Museum of the Third National Congress of the Communist Party of China. Visitors can scan the QR code below to access the account directly.
Museums to remain open on Monday
As May 18 falls on a Monday this year, many museums that are usually closed on Mondays will remain open for the occasion.
Exhibitions include "A Gift of the Nile: Ancient Egyptian Artifacts and Digital Art Experience Exhibition" at the Nanyue King Museum (南越王博物). Other highlights include "One Single Thought: Dunhuang-Grotto Art Grand Exhibition" at the Guangzhou Museum of Art (广州艺术博物院) and "Vitality of Life: China-Africa Cultural and Art Exhibition" at the Guangzhou Maritime Museum (广州海事博物馆).
Special programs and public activities will also be held across the city, including the "Nanyue Handicraft Workshop" at the Nanyue King Museum and "A Harmonious World Led by Tea" program at the Guangzhou Tea Museum (广州茶博馆).
Aoyou Card to offer discounts for special exhibitions
The "Aoyou Card" (鳌游卡) will make its debut on International Museum Day. Designed as a collectible card, it features detachable stubs that can be combined with the card base to form a complete illustration. Cardholders can enjoy exclusive discounts on special exhibitions and cultural products at participating venues through June 18, 2026. Each stub is valid for a single use.
Visitors who wish to claim the card can scan the QR code below to make a reservation in advance, then pick it up on May 18 at one of five designated venues: the Museum of the Third National Congress of the Communist Party of China, the Nanyue King Museum, the Guangzhou Museum of Art, the Xuelei Fragrance Museum, and the Grandview Museum of Natural Science. Each venue will offer 200 cards on a first-come, first-served basis.
Author | He Fengyu
Photo | Courtesy of the organizer
