While SDCHM has a vast assortment of items in its archives, it does not rest on permanent displays alone.
Instead, the exhibits showcase experiences or elements of Chinese American life in a more fluid way.
Current Exhibits at the San Diego Chinese Historical Museum
Permanent Exhibits
SDCHM’s displays its dedication to preservation proudly across the walls and exhibits of the museum.
The museum invites visitors to discover the timeline of Chinese history, an herbal cabinet containing samples, a section dedicated to the history of Chinese Laundries, and more.
Look for these vignettes during your visit.
Calligraphy and Painting
The ancient art of Chinese character writing and painting is explored through examples of this medium.
Look at the scrolls to see how styles have changed while the materials stay the same.
Chinese New Year Celebration Miniature Typical Home
Scale Models
Marvel at the dioramas of a Chinese fishing village, old homes, and businesses based in San Diego’s Chinatown.
These detailed scale models are fascinating, intricate, and accurate in their interpretations.
Exploring the Diaspora
Documents and photographs tell the story of Chinese Americans who assimilated into their communities yet retained their culture and customs.
Some of these examples include the acceptance of Chinese restaurants and laundry services as industries where immigrants thrived.
Walking Virtual Tour
The SDCHM hosts regular walking tours of the Asian Pacific Historic District. You may access a virtual walking tour.
Treasured Objects
The assortment of artifacts, heirlooms, and objects of historical significance that have been donated to the museum are rotated frequently.
Some are from the old country, such as figurines and vases, bound-feet slippers, jade, cloisonne, and a fully restored rickshaw, to items from life in San Diego’s Chinatown, including laundry tools, opium pipes, and busts of honored community members.
Keep an eye out for the museum’s oldest artifact: a Buddha head that is over 1,500 years old!
Photos of Old San Diego
This display brings together photographs of Chinese immigrant contributions to the growth and development of the city.
These images highlight everyday life in Chinatown, immigrants working on the Pacific Railroad, and old fishing junks in the harbor.
Chinese New Year Celebration Miniature Art Piece
True Colors: Student Art Showcase
This exhibit allows students of traditional Chinese art forms to display their work.
Some of the art may be the result of lectures and programs offered by the San Diego Chinese Historical Museum.
Chinese Garden
Venture outside to the traditional garden to walk among the sculptures, observe the monument to the Chinese fishermen of La Playa, and enjoy the koi pond and waterfalls.
Fun fact: some of the koi in the pond are over 20 years old!
Upcoming Exhibits & Events
From an annual festival to large-scale oil paintings, SDCHM continues to grow the connection between the past and today.
Poem ‘Li Sao’, Qu Yuan & Dragon Boat Festival
Qu Yuan, the Father of Chinese Romantic poetry, wrote the autobiographical poem Li Sao, translated as Encountering Sorrow, nearly 2,300 years ago, during his exile by King Huai.
Qu Yuan’s death inspired the Dragon Boat Festival, and every year his life and art are celebrated amidst the regatta and drums.
The museum celebrates both Qu Yuan and Li Sao and their “perennial longing for the inner light that is inherent in each and every soul.”
The exhibit runs from 3/29/24 - 09/01/24.
The Art of Chunming Yu
Visitors will see 40+ sketches and oil paintings by Chunming Yu created from 1985 to the present of Chinese residences across the vast territory of China and featuring over 56 ethnic groups.
For many of the items, this will be the first time they are on display. Guests won’t want to miss this chance to view Chunming’s perspective into the “patchwork of natural and geographic condition” that makes China’s residential buildings unique.
The exhibit runs from 9/20/24 - 03/02/25.