To many in Hangzhou, Wushan is a familiar presence. The exhibition “A Hill in the City: The Historical Space of Wushan” was declared open in the South Wing of Hangzhou Museum. The exhibition weaves together five sections - "Origins of Wushan," "Echoes of a Millennium," "Cultural Legacy," "Footsteps of Luminaries," and "Enduring Spirit," demonstrating the its past, narrating the local evolution, cultural heritage, and the warmth of its everyday life.

In collaboration with 19 cultural institutions, including the National Library of China, Tianjin Museum, Liaoning Provincial Museum, Jilin Provincial Museum, Hubei Provincial Museum, China National Silk Museum, and Zhejiang Provincial Museum, Hangzhou Museum has assembled 217 cultural artifacts for display. Among them, 12 are designated as Grade I relics, 28 as Grade II, and 47 as Grade III, bringing together an impressive collection of significant items.

A highlight of the exhibition is the museum’s first public display of the "Bronze Si with Beast Head and Water Battle Patterns." This artifact, resembling a long ruler adorned with a beast head, features intricate carvings of six groups of figures, vividly depicting a dramatic water battle. Inspired by this piece, the museum has also developed cultural and creative products, including Xiuyan jade bookmarks and refrigerator magnets. Another standout is the museum’s treasure, the Warring States period crystal cup, which has left its permanent display for the first time in a decade to join the Wushan exhibition. Displayed alongside it is a set of five nested bronze cups from the Hubei Provincial Museum, which bear a striking resemblance in design to the crystal cup.

The exhibition also features a special contemporary art segment created in partnership with the Institute of Contemporary Art and Social Thoughts at the China Academy of Art. Five artists, through field research, documents, collection of oral histories, and engagement with the site, create a "generative map" of the hill. It reimagines the static geographical landmark as a dynamic cultural symbol.

In addition to artifacts and artworks, the exhibition offers over 20 new spin-off items, including bags, stationery, accessories, pet toys, and tea snacks, allowing visitors to take a piece of Wushan’s memory and charm home with them. The exhibition will run until January 5, 2026.