In recent years, a series of rural museums have sprung up across Huzhou in East China's Zhejiang province, transforming the countryside there into a unique cultural landscape.

In August 2021, the National Cultural Heritage Administration designated Huzhou as the sole pilot city for rural museum construction in the country.

Huzhou has responded to the golden opportunity with high standards and lofty ambitions, resulting in the establishment of 122 rural museums — leading the province in both quantity and quality.

The museums display artifacts and stories that originate from the local land, encapsulating the evolution of rural life, local culture, and traditions, thereby becoming the embodiment of rural spirit and culture.

Visitors check out the Coin Collection Museum in Qianyuan town, Deqing county, Huzhou. [Photo/nthh.media.hugd.com]

In Chejiadou village's Agricultural Museum in Nanxun district, visitors can find an array of traditional farming tools and artifacts, such as plows and straw raincoats, alongside old photographs depicting the village's history — offering a nostalgic glimpse into traditional rural life in Huzhou.

The Wedding Museum in Xiaopu town, Changxing county, is one of the most popular rural museums in Zhejiang. It features exhibits that recreate historical wedding scenes and room decorations from different eras, while an outdoor area allows visitors to experience traditional wedding customs firsthand.

A standout example of corporate investment in the development of rural museums is the OSM Pearl Museum in Deqing county. Collaborating with a pearl research institute and a local pearl farming base, the museum offers specialized pearl study tours and develops themed products, generating over 1 million yuan ($138,513) in revenue in a six month period.