Guangzhou Thirteen Hongs Museum, held a special exhibition for Guangzhou citizens on Sept 26, running through the National Day holidays. 

The museum is dedicated to spreading the culture and history of the development of the Thirteen Factories (warehouses and stores which were the principal and sole legal site of most Western trade with China from 1757-1842).

The interior of the Guangzhou Thirteen Hongs Museum is decorated with images displaying the culture and history of the Thirteen Factories. [Photo/xinhuanet.com]

More than 100 exhibits including Guangcai ceramics, Cantonese embroidery, Cantonese-style wood carving, exported paintings and silver wares were displayed at the exhibition.

Donated by private collectors, the exhibits reveal Guangzhou's crucial role in Sino-Western trade and provide a great chance to see the mixture of Chinese and Western cultures and arts.

On the same day, inheritors of China's intangible cultural heritages such as Guangcai ceramic techniques, Cantonese embroidery were also invited to demonstrate to visitors these precious Lingnan traditional techniques.

People wanting to learn even more about the culture of the Thirteen Factories can also visit Guangzhou's Xidi Ferry Pier from Sept 26, where boats will be cruising the Pearl River. Inside each boat are replicas of famous paintings depicting the old scenes of the Thirteen Factories. 

An exported plate with delicate patterns is on display at the exhibition held at Guangzhou Thirteen Hongs Museum. [Photo/gzdaily.dayoo.com]

Visitors admire the exhibits at Guangzhou Thirteen Hongs Museum on Sept 26. [Photo/xkb.com]