Shanghai Museum hosts first major Silla Kingdom exhibition

The Gyeongju National Museum has launched a major special exhibition titled ‘Land of the Golden Crown: Essence of Silla Cultural Heritage’ at the Shanghai Museum in China. Running from September 23 until January 18, 2027, this event marks the first large-scale exhibition in China to comprehensively introduce the thousand-year history and culture of the Silla Kingdom.

The exhibition features 251 cultural artifacts, including 88 significant items such as five national treasures—notably the Geumgwanchong Gold Crown—and 10 treasures. The collection is organized into three core themes: ‘Golden Culture,’ showcasing royal gold crowns and metalwork; ‘Foreign Exchange,’ highlighting Silla’s active cultural interactions across Eurasia; and ‘Buddhist Art,’ exploring the spiritual foundation of Silla society through Buddhist statues and crafts.

This exhibition follows a successful international tour that previously visited the Musée Guimet in Paris. While the Paris exhibition focused on a broad historical overview, the Shanghai exhibition aims to provide a deeper look into the specific artistic and cultural essence of Silla. Museum officials expressed hope that the event will foster greater mutual understanding and cultural exchange between South Korea and China.