On September 28, 2026, the groundbreaking ceremony for the Changzhou Hengshan Museum Cultural Base project was held at the construction site in Hengshanqiao Town, Changzhou Economic and Technological Development Zone. The ceremony was attended by leaders from the Changzhou Economic Development Zone; representatives from the Changzhou Municipal Committee of the China Democratic Promotion Association; heads of relevant municipal, district, and town departments; as well as representatives from the project owner Qingqi Yayuan, the construction contractor Changjia Construction, the supervision firm Xinhe Management, and the design firm Yuanhan Design, along with guests from all sectors of society. Together, they witnessed this important milestone in the development of Hengshan Museum’s cultural heritage initiatives.

As one of the first non-state-owned museums approved for establishment in Changzhou, the Hengshan Museum is deeply rooted in the Hengshanqiao area. Drawing on its distinctive collections, it remains open year-round to the surrounding community free of charge. To date, it has welcomed nearly one million visitors and has built a strong base of public support. The launch of the new museum building is intended to further enhance the museum’s public cultural services and enrich the region’s cultural exhibition landscape.

The Changzhou Hengshan Museum Cultural Base Project has a total investment of approximately 150 million yuan. The new exhibition halls have a total floor area of approximately 17,500 square meters and are divided into two main functional zones, A and B: Zone A has a floor area of 12,300 square meters, while Zone B has a floor area of 5,200 square meters. The functional layout of the museum complex is designed around its core role as a hub for public cultural services, comprehensively covering diverse key scenarios such as exhibit display, art appreciation and exchange, cross-regional cultural collaboration, and public social education. Equipped with modern digital facilities such as holographic displays and smart guided tours, the complex transforms what were once static cultural collections into experiences that visitors can truly see, touch, and feel.

Bird's-eye view

Rendering of Hall A

Rendering of Building B

Li Qiming, Chairman of Jiangsu Qingqi Yayuan Cultural Industry Development Co., Ltd. and Director of the Hengshan Museum, explained that the project’s design fully embodies canal culture and regional characteristics, with a functional layout that integrates exhibitions, educational tours, social activities, intangible cultural heritage, cultural and creative industries, and leisure experiences. A standout feature of the project is its organic integration of the cultural heritage of the canal, the preservation of intangible cultural heritage, cultural and creative experiences, and modern public cultural services. Once the new venue is completed and opens to the public, it will further enhance the Hengshan Museum’s capacity for public service and its social influence, contributing to the flourishing development of the cultural tourism industry and cultural heritage sector in eastern Changzhou.

Li Xuepeng, General Manager of Changjia Construction Group, speaking on behalf of the construction company, stated in his address that undertaking this key public cultural project is not only an honor for the company but also a weighty responsibility. Unlike typical construction projects, the museum project must stand the test of time. The company will adhere to green, standardized, and civilized construction practices, firmly uphold safety standards, ensure the project proceeds safely, smoothly, and in an orderly manner throughout its entire lifecycle, and make every effort to ensure on-time delivery so that this cultural project can be completed as soon as possible and benefit the public.

Zhou Erzhong, Director of the Organization and Publicity Department of the Changzhou Municipal Committee of the China Democratic Promotion Association (CDPA), delivered a speech on behalf of the committee, offering congratulations on the groundbreaking ceremony for the new Hengshan Museum. He pointed out that non-state-owned museums serve as “cultural living rooms right on the doorstep” for local residents and are an indispensable force in enhancing the city’s cultural soft power. He expressed the hope that the project would uphold cultural integrity, delve deeply into local characteristics such as the culture of Ji Zha, the history of industry and commerce, and local folk customs, and create distinctive content that sets it apart from state-run comprehensive museums. Zhou Erzhong stated that the Changzhou Municipal Committee of the China Democratic Promotion Association would continue to leverage its strengths in the cultural sector, organize members to participate in the planning of exhibitions and public welfare activities for the new museum, and introduce more high-quality cultural resources.

At the conclusion of the ceremony, Li Qiming, Director of the Hengshan Museum; Yin Yunfeng, Chairman of Changjia Construction Group; and the leaders and guests in attendance, each holding a red-silk-wrapped shovel, jointly performed the groundbreaking ceremony for the project.

Once the project is completed and put into operation, the operations team will continue to refine its unique cultural brand, transforming the Hengshan Museum into a new cultural and tourism landmark in eastern Changzhou. It will truly serve as the central hub for urban cultural exchange in eastern Changzhou, providing lasting momentum for enhancing the region’s cultural soft power.