The world's first underwater archaeological museum accessible without diving.

The Baiheliang Underwater Museum in Chongqing is the world's first underwater archaeological museum accessible without diving. It is located on the banks of the Yangtze River in Fuling District, Chongqing. The museum was established in 2003 and officially opened to the public on May 18, 2009. It aims to protect, research, promote, and educate about the precious underwater cultural heritage of Baiheliang. Museum Overview Location: On the banks of the Yangtze River in Fuling District, Chongqing The museum was built on the original site using the "pressureless container" principle, realizing the protection and display of the Baiheliang inscriptions in their original underwater environment. Museum Structure The Baiheliang Underwater Museum consists of two parts: the exhibition hall on the shore and the underwater viewing area. Exhibition Hall on the Shore: The exhibition hall includes a reception hall, exhibition hall, etc., and displays the history, culture, scientific value, and protection process of Baiheliang through pictures, texts, and physical objects. Visitors can learn about the background knowledge of the Baiheliang inscriptions and feel their unique cultural charm. Underwater Viewing Area: The museum is located 40 meters underwater and can be reached directly via a tunnel-style escalator. Visitors can view the Baiheliang inscriptions up close through the observation window in the underwater passage, as if traveling through a time and space tunnel, directly facing the stone carvings from thousands of years ago. The inscriptions involve the rise and fall of river water, historical events, and literati inscriptions, and are important materials for studying the hydrological changes and historical changes of the Yangtze River. Baiheliang Inscriptions The Baiheliang inscriptions are the core value of the Baiheliang Underwater Museum. These inscriptions are distributed on the stone beams or rock walls of Baiheliang. From the first year of Guangde in the Tang Dynasty to the early 20th century, they have gone through more than 1,200 years, leaving 72 years of Yangtze River hydrological data of dead wood and the authentic inscriptions of literati and ink guests of all ages. These inscriptions not only have extremely high scientific value, but also integrate various elements such as literature, calligraphy, painting, and stone carving art. They are known as the "Underwater Forest of Steles" and the "World's First Hydrological Station".