The Xiangyang Museum occupies a Tang-style building at 1 North Street in the old Xiangyang district and holds more than four thousand artefacts spanning prehistoric times through the Qing dynasty. Entry is free, which makes it one of the better deals in Hubei cultural tourism. The six main halls move chronologically through the region's history: Neolithic pottery, bronze-age ritual vessels, Han dynasty jade and lacquerware, and ceramic and metalwork from later periods. The Three Kingdoms collection is particularly strong, reflecting the city's centrality to that period of Chinese history.
The museum occupies a large courtyard compound and deserves two to three hours to see properly. The Han-period bronzes are the highlight — Xiangyang sat at the centre of the Chu culture during the Warring States period, and Chu bronzes have a distinctly different aesthetic from those made in the Yellow River heartland. Labels are in Chinese only, so a basic familiarity with Chinese history helps; audio guides may be available at the entrance. Open Tuesday to Sunday; closed Monday.