The national treasure the Square Zun Carved with Four Sheep will be exhibited in the new Wulin Extension of Zhejiang Museum during the next two weeks. Meanwhile, the Wulin Extension of Zhejiang Museum will open for free to the public from Dec 20th.

The unpacking ceremony of three national treasures was held in the new Wulin extension of Zhejiang Museum which was still undergoing the last stage of renovation on Dec 12th. Apart from the Square Zun Carved with Four Sheep, the other two national treasures were actually unearthed in Zhejiang Province and have been kept in the National Museum during the last 50 years.

One of them is a golden certificate, engraved on iron, of exemption from the death penalty on nine possible occasions issued by the Emperor of Tang Dynasty to King Qian Liu, the first king of the kingdom of Wuyue (907A.D.-978A.D.) when Hangzhou was the capital city.

The other is the Gold-Gilded Copper Statue of Guan Yin, meaning Observing the Cries of the World in Chinese, also known in the west as Goddess of Mercy in Buddhism. Produced in the Five Dynasties & Ten Kingdoms, it was unearthed from under the Millions Buddha Pagoda in Jinhua City, Zhejiang Province in 1957.

"We have been preparing for an exhibition of national treasures for three years," remarked the deputy curator of Zhejiang Museum Chen Hao. He added: "However, the conditions of temperature and humidity in the old museum located in the Solitary Hill were not sufficient for the display. Now that the National Museum is under renovation, all the national treasures have a chance to go on a nationwide tour. Zhejiang Museum is the 10th stop. The next stop in Ningbo Museum will be the last one. This might be the only chance to view the antiques right in Hangzhou as they will be returned to the National Museum after the tour."

What's more, to celebrate the 80th birthday of Zhejiang Museum, about 80 pieces of national treasures will be exhibited in the new hall located in the West Lake Culture Square. The exhibition will open to the public for free from Dec 22nd 2009 till Mar. 20th 2010.

The Wulin extension of Zhejiang Museum, located in the West Lake Culture Square, will open to the public as a part of the celebration of the 80th birthday of Zhejiang Museum on Dec 20th.

With a total space of 20,000sqm, the Wulin extension has began its renovation Mar. 15th and is scheduled to be completed at the end of the year.

Upon opening, the Wulin Hall will be oriented on the exhibition of historical and cultural relics and antiques of Zhejiang Province, while the old Solitary Hill Hall will focus more on artistic exhibitions. "They are equally important to us." said Chen Hao.

By Li Hui