What's on

Painted pottery

Painted pottery decorated with a variety of motifs, especially the distinctive whirlpool patterns, highlights the brilliance of the Neolithic Majiayao culture. The culture takes its name from Majiayao village in Gansu province, where it was first discovered in 1924. Dating back about 5,000 years, it flourished in northwestern China, a region nourished by the Yellow River and its tributaries.

The exhibition, Pinnacle of Painted Pottery Art, now on at Shenzhen Art Museum, in Guangdong province, showcases the social and cultural achievements of Majiayao culture through fine pottery vessels from the collection of Gansu Provincial Museum. The patterns — whirlpools, geometries and animals — on bowls, vases, jars and plates convey a primitive beauty and a mysterious mood, inviting visitors to imagine the lives of the Majiayao people. The exhibition runs until April 12.

9 am-5 pm, closed on Mondays. 32 Donghu Yi Jie, inside Donghu Park, Aiguo Lu, Luohu district, Shenzhen, Guangdong province. 0755-2542-6069.

Treasured collection

Jiangsu Art Museum has unveiled a long-term exhibition featuring selected works from its collection built over decades. The show traces the evolution of painting from the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) through the 20th century, highlighting Jiangsu's role in shaping artistic development.

The province's rich cultural heritage and thriving economy during the Ming and Qing (1644-1911) dynasties fostered a vibrant art scene marked by creativity and diverse schools of thought. In the 20th century, Jiangsu also became a center for artistic experimentation in Chinese painting, as artists who had studied abroad introduced Western influences and helped initiate reforms.

9 am-5 pm, closed on Mondays. 333 Changjiang Lu, Nanjing, Jiangsu province. 025-8961-0810.

Latest discoveries

Treasures Unearthed in Zhejiang shows objects from major archaeological finds in the eastern province last year. It begins with a section dedicated to the settlements of ancient people through discoveries at 10 sites, helping people gain an understanding of the origins of rice cultivation, the wisdom behind early architecture, and the emergence of social organization.

The second section reconstructs the layouts of ancient cities, illustrating the logic of early urban planning and the interplay of politics, economy and culture.

Another part explores burial sites as time capsules that preserve the social etiquette, ethical values and religious beliefs of different eras.

The final section traces the history of the salt trade and ceramics-making, two pivotal industries in ancient times. The exhibition is on at Zhejiang Provincial Museum through May 5.

9 am-5 pm, closed on Mondays. 25 Gushan Lu, Hangzhou, Zhejiang province. 0571-8601-3085.