The Henan Museum, in Zhengzhou City, is one of China's oldest museums - a key museum with modern displays and exhibitions, modernised equipment, and a unique architecture. The province of Henan is situated in the middle reaches of the Yellow River. Its ancient name is Zhongzhou, or central region, in the cradle of ancient Chinese civilisation. The result of many years of excavation in the province have contributed to one of the great and most representative collections of early Chinese art and culture with a wealth of examples of all kinds of ancient art objects, ancient architecture and crafts. It is second only in wealth of artistic and historical finds to the Palace Museum in Beijing. There are 120,000 objects displayed in twenty galleries over an area of more than 100,000 square metres. The galleries include major displays of the ancient history of the province, and special displays of statuary, bronzes, and jade. There is a gallery dedicated to ancient astronomy, and a 'history classroom' that caters for the different taste of experts, tourists and children. Ancient Chinese music played on beautifully reconstructed instruments gives an added dimension and emotion to the experience of the museum. AUTHOR: Zhang Wenjun is the director of the Henan Museum. SELLING POINTS: *Explores key aspects of the museum's history and architecture *Guides readers through the vast galleries and displays which make the Henan Museum second only, in wealth of artistic and historical finds, to the Palace Museum in Beijing 300 colour illustrations