Chinese Museum - What's On

Permanent Displays

Finding Gold

On the lower level of the Museum, Finding Gold replicates the experience of the Chinese in Australia's 19th century goldfields. During your visit you can retrace the journey from Canton on a steamer and become immersed in the adventures of Chinese goldseekers through displays that include a winding deep lead mine and an elaborate goldfields diaorama. Afterwards you can consult your fortune in the temple of Guan Gong (a famous Chinese general and deity), be entertained by Cantonese opera in a tent theatre, and see diggers double their winnings on the Chinese lottery.

Melbourne's Dragons

The Melbourne Dai Loong Association's Millennium Dragon winds it way from the ground floor to the lower ground hibernating in readiness to be awakened for the Chinese Spring Festival (Jan-Feb) and the Moomba Festival (March) each year. The Museum displays the last three processional Chinese Dragons which have paraded the city streets for most of last century as part of Melbourne's 100-year-old tradition celebrating the presence of Melnbourne's long-standing Chinese Community. Standing over 3 metres high, the Millennium dragon is the largest in the world requiring 6 people just to carry the head. Flanked by ceremonial regalia, banners, lanterns and lions, the dragon procession is a spectacle not to be missed!

Chinese Australians

The history and culture of the Chinese in Australia is presented on the third floor of the Museum. The exhibition tells the stories of Chinese Australians from first migrants in the 19th century to recent arrivals.

This gallery presents the Museum's collection, accumulated over the past twenty years, with a wide variety of objects ranging from furniture to 19th century pottery, and much more. Cultural life of Chinese Australians is presented through objects including old dragon and lion heads, Cantonese opera banners and musical instruments. A highlight of the Museum is the costume collection, with traditional wedding clothes, shoes worn by women with bound feet and opera costumes all on display.