List of Chinese cultural relics forbidden to be exhibited abroad

The list of Chinese cultural relics forbidden to be exhibited abroad () comprises a list of antiquities and archaeological artifacts held by various museums and other institutions in the People's Republic of China, which the Chinese government has officially prohibited, since 2003, from being taken abroad for exhibition. Many of the relics on the list symbolize the breakthrough of archaeological discoveries that were made in China since the mid-20th century, when archaeology as a modern science began to take root in China. These items are among the most important excavated treasures in China, and have a particular historical, cultural or artistic significance.

The list was first announced in January 2002, with a second batch of items added to the list in June 2012, and a third batch added the next year in July 2013.

Government regulations prohibiting exhibition abroad According to Article 49 of the Regulations for the Implementation of the Law of the People's Republic of China on Protection of Cultural Relics (State Council Decree No. 377) promulgated on 18 May 2003:

The only existing or fragile relics among the grade-one relics are prohibited from being taken out of the country for exhibition. The catalogue of cultural relics prohibited from being taken out of the country for exhibition shall be made public on a regular basis by the competent cultural relics administrative department of the State Council.

A first list of sixty-four cultural relics that are forbidden to be exhibited abroad was published by the State Administration of Cultural Heritage on 19 January 2002 (a year before the above regulation was enacted).

In addition to the list of items explicitly prohibited from being exhibited abroad, cultural relics that fall within one of the following five categories are also prohibited from being exhibited outside of China: ancient human remains the main object of reverence at a place of religious observation first-grade cultural relics that are unique and easily damaged objects listed in the catalogue of cultural relics that are prohibited from being exhibited abroad cultural relics that are not suitable to be exhibited abroad because of their state of preservation

Furthermore, cultural relics may not be sent abroad for exhibition if they have not previously been officially exhibited within China.

First batch (2002) In 2002, the State Administration of Cultural Heritage announced its first list of 64 first-grade cultural relics that are forbidden to be taken out of mainland China for exhibition.

Name Period Place of discovery Date of discovery Collection Image Coloured pottery pot depicting a stork, a fish, and a stone axe彩绘鹳鱼石斧图陶缸 Neolithic 1978 National Museum of China, Beijing Pottery ding vessel in the form of an eagle, from the Yangshao culture陶鹰鼎 Neolithic 1958 National Museum of China, Beijing Houmuwu ding后母戊鼎 Shang dynasty (1600–1046 BCE) 1939 National Museum of China, Beijing Li gui, a bronze wine cup with an inscription commemorating King Wu of Zhou's defeat of the Shang dynasty利簋 Western Zhou (1046–771 BCE) 1976 National Museum of China, Beijing Da Yu ding, a bronze ding cauldron cast by Yu, with an inscription dated the 23rd year of the reign of King Kang of Zhou大盂鼎 Western Zhou (1046–771 BCE) National Museum of China, Beijing Guoji Zibai pan, a bronze trough with an inscription commemorating the defeat of Xianyun people by Duke Xuan of Guo in the 12th year of the reign of King Xuan of Zhou虢季子白盘 Western Zhou (1046–771 BCE) National Museum of China, Beijing Four phoenix crowns from the tomb of the Wanli Emperor凤冠 Ming dynasty (1368–1644) 1957 National Museum of China, Beijing Ivory cup inlaid with turquoise, from the tomb of Fu Hao嵌綠松石象牙杯 Shang dynasty (1600–1046 BCE) 1976 Chinese Academy of Social Sciences Institute of Archaeology Jin Hou Su zhong, a set of 16 ceremonial bronze bianzhong bells from the tomb of Marquis Xian of Jin晉侯蘇鍾 Western Zhou (1046–771 BCE) Shanghai Museum Da Ke ding, a bronze ding cauldron cast by Ke during the reign of King Xiao of Zhou大克鼎 Western Zhou (1046–771 BCE) 1890 Shanghai Museum Taibao ding, a bronze ding cauldron cast by the Duke of Shao during the reign of King Cheng of Zhou太保鼎 Western Zhou (1046–771 BCE) Tianjin Museum Red lacquered bowl from the Hemudu culture河姆渡出土朱漆碗 Neolithic 1977 Zhejiang Provincial Museum, Hangzhou Pottery stove from the Hemudu culture河姆渡出土陶灶 Neolithic 1977 Zhejiang Provincial Museum, Hangzhou Royal Jade cong from the Liangzhu culture良渚出土玉琮王 Neolithic 1986 Zhejiang Institute of Archaeology Warring States crystal glass水晶杯 Warring States period (475–221 BCE) 1990 Zhejiang Institute of Archaeology Bronze stand for ceremonial vessels from the tomb of the son of King Zhuang of Chu淅川出土銅禁 Spring and Autumn period (771–403 BCE) 1978 Henan Museum, Zhengzhou Pair of square bronze jars from the tomb of the Duke of Zheng 新鄭出士蓮鶴銅方壺 Spring and Autumn period (771–403 BCE) 1923 Palace Museum, BeijingHenan Museum, Zhengzhou Rectangular bronze mirror from the tomb of the Prince of Qi齐王墓青铜方镜 Western Han (206 BCE – 9 CE) 1980 Zibo Museum Bronze ding vessel from the tomb of the King of Chu铸客大铜鼎 Warring States period (475–221 BCE) 1933 Anhui Provincial Museum, Hefei Lacquered wooden platform shoes from the tomb of Zhu Ran朱然墓出土漆木屐 Three Kingdoms (Eastern Wu) 1984 Zhu Ran Family Cemetery Museum Lacquered picture plate from the tomb of Zhu Ran朱然墓出土贵族生活图漆盘 Three Kingdoms (Eastern Wu) 1984 Zhu Ran Family Cemetery Museum Painted lacquer wooden screen depicting scenes of filial sons and virtuous women in Chinese history, from the tomb of Sima Jinlong司马金龙墓出土漆屏 Northern Wei (386–534) 1965 Datong Museum Mural depicting horse riders from the tomb of Lou Rui娄睿墓鞍马出行图壁画 Northern Qi (550–577) 1979 Shanxi Institute of Archaeology Memorial stone engraved with illustrations of Buddhist Stories涅槃变相碑 Tang dynasty (618–907) Shanxi Art Museum, Taiyuan Stone sculpture of a Daoist deity常阳太尊石像 Tang dynasty (618–907) Shanxi Art Museum, Taiyuan Jade ceremonial dagger-axe大玉戈 Shang dynasty (1600–1046 BCE) 1974 Hubei Provincial Museum, Wuhan Bianzhong of Marquis Yi of Zeng Warring States period (475–221 BCE) 1978 Hubei Provincial Museum, Wuhan Carved and lacquered wooden outer coffin from the tomb of Marquis Yi of Zeng曾侯乙墓外棺 Warring States period (475–221 BCE) 1978 Hubei Provincial Museum, Wuhan Pair of intricately decorated bronze food and wine vessels cast using the lost-wax process from the tomb of Marquis Yi of Zeng曾侯乙青铜尊盘 Warring States period (475–221 BCE) 1978 Hubei Provincial Museum, Wuhan Wooden screen with carved images of phoenixes and deer, decorated with polychromatic lacquer彩漆木雕小座屏 Warring States period (475–221 BCE) 1965 Hubei Provincial Museum, Wuhan Clay sculpture of the head of a goddess, inlaid with jade eyes, from the Hongshan culture temple at Niuheliang红山文化女神像 Neolithic 1983 Liaoning Institute of Archaeology Duck-shaped glass object鸭形玻璃注 Northern Yan (407–436) 1965 Liaoning Province Museum, Shenyang bronze tree with a dragon curling up the trunk, and leaves, fruit and birds on the branches青铜神树 Shang dynasty (1600–1046 BCE) 1986 Sanxingdui Museum Ceremonial jade object with engraved drawings of stylized human figures三星堆出土玉边璋 Shang dynasty (1600–1046 BCE) 1986 Sanxingdui Museum bronze money tree with a phoenix perched at the top摇钱树 Eastern Han (25–220) 1990 Mianyang Museum Gansu Flying Horse铜奔马 Eastern Han (25–220) 1969 Gansu Provincial Museum, Lanzhou The Qin bronze chariots, from the Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor铜车马 Qin dynasty (221–206 BCE) 1980 Museum of the Terracotta Warriors and Horses of Qin Shihuang, Lintong Shi Qiang pan牆盤 Western Zhou (1046–771 BCE) 1967 Baoji Bronzeware Museum Large bronze ding vessel with three handles and ox-head decoration淳化大鼎 Western Zhou (1046–771 BCE) 1979 Chunhua Museum Bronze He zun, with an inscription recording the construction of the capital at Luoyang by King Cheng of Zhou何尊 Western Zhou (1046–771 BCE) 1963 Baoji Bronzeware Museum Stone sculptures from the tomb of Huo Qubing at the mausoleum of Emperor Wu of Han at Maoling茂陵石雕 Western Han (206 BCE – 9 CE) Maoling Museum, Xianyang Xi'an Stele — a stele recording the introduction of Christianity into China in 635大秦景教流行中国碑 Tang dynasty (618–907) Shaanxi 1623 Xi'an Beilin Museum, Xi'an Gilt silver jug imitating the shape of a leather water bottle, with a design of prancing horsesHejia Village hoard舞马衔杯仿皮囊式银壶 Tang dynasty (618–907) 1970 Shaanxi History Museum, Xi'an Zoomorphic drinking horn made from agateHejia Village hoard兽首玛瑙杯 Tang dynasty (618–907) 1970 Shaanxi History Museum, Xi'an Bronze bell cast in 711, weighing 6,500 kg, originally from the bell tower at the Tang capital Chang'an景云铜钟 Tang dynasty (618–907) Xi'an Beilin Museum, Xi'an Gilt and silvered monk's staff donated to Famen Temple by Emperor Yizong of Tang in 873银花双轮十二环锡杖 Tang dynasty (618–907) 1987 Famen Temple Museum, Fufeng Set of eight nested relic boxes containing a relic supposed to be a finger bone from Śākyamuni Buddha, from Famen Temple八重宝函 Tang dynasty (618–907) 1987 Famen Temple Museum, Fufeng Bronze model pagoda from Famen Temple铜浮屠 Tang dynasty (618–907) 1987 Famen Temple Museum, Fufeng "Five stars rising in the East" armband"五星出东方"护膊 Eastern Han (25–220) to Jin (266–420) 1995 Xinjiang Institute of Archaeology Bronze table frame inlaid with gold and silver, decorated with figures of four dragons and four phoenixes错金银四龙四凤铜方案座 Warring States period (475–221 BCE) 1974 Hebei Museum, Shijiazhuang Bronze ding vessel with iron feet from the tomb of the King of Zhongshan中山王铁足铜鼎 Warring States period (475–221 BCE) 1977 Hebei Museum, Shijiazhuang Jade burial suit from the tomb of Liu Sheng, Prince of Zhongshan刘胜金缕玉衣 Western Han (206 BCE – 9 CE) 1968 Hebei Museum, Shijiazhuang Gilt bronze lamp in the shape of a serving girl, from the tomb of Lady Dou Wan长信宫灯 Western Han (206 BCE – 9 CE) 1968 Hebei Museum, Shijiazhuang Five bronze pieces from an otherwise decayed folding screen, from the tomb of the King of Nanyue铜屏风构件5件 Western Han (206 BCE – 9 CE) 1983 Museum of the Mausoleum of the Nanyue King, Guangzhou Horn-shaped jade cup from the tomb of the King of Nanyue角形玉杯 Western Han (206 BCE – 9 CE) 1983 Museum of the Mausoleum of the Nanyue King, Guangzhou Silk painting depicting a man riding a dragon人物御龙帛画 Warring States period (475–221 BCE) 1949 Hunan Provincial Museum, Changsha Silk painting depicting a man with a dragon and a phoenix人物龙凤帛画 Warring States period (475–221 BCE) 1949 Hunan Provincial Museum, Changsha Plain gauze robe from the tomb of the Marquis of Dai at Mawangdui直裾素纱禅衣 Western Han (206 BCE – 9 CE) 1972 Hunan Provincial Museum, Changsha Wooden outer coffin from the tomb of the Marquis of Dai at Mawangdui马王堆一号墓木棺椁 Western Han (206 BCE – 9 CE) 1972 Hunan Provincial Museum, Changsha T-shaped silk funeral banner from the tomb of the Marquis of Dai at Mawangdui马王堆一号墓T型帛画 Western Han (206 BCE – 9 CE) 1972 Hunan Provincial Museum, Changsha Brocade banner depicting the Sun God and hunting scenes红地云珠日天锦 Northern dynasties (386–581) 1983 Qinghai Institute of Archaeology Nine volumes of Buddhist texts written in the Tangut language that were printed using wooden movable type, from Baisigou Square Pagoda西夏文佛经《吉祥遍至口和本续》纸本 Western Xia (1038–1227) 1991 Ningxia Institute of Archaeology Red-glazed pottery model of a granary青花釉里红瓷仓 Yuan dynasty (1271–1368) 1974 Jiangxi Provincial Museum, Nanchang Picture of the Seven Sages of the Bamboo Grove composed from more than 300 moulded bricks竹林七贤砖印模画 Southern dynasties (420–589) 1960 Nanjing Museum

Second batch (2012) In June 2012, the State Administration of Cultural Heritage announced the second batch of 37 cultural relics forbidden to be exhibited abroad, covering paintings and works of calligraphy. NamePeriodCollectionImagePingfu Tie by Lu Ji 陆机《平复帖》卷Western Jin (266–316)Palace Museum, BeijingBoyuan Tie by Wang Xun