Museum of Oriental Musical Instruments
Supports music education and cultural research in collaboration with scholars, students, and visiting researchers.
ABOUT THIS COLLECTION:
The Museum of Oriental Musical Instruments (MOMI), affiliated with the Shanghai Conservatory of Music, preserves more than 700 instruments representing the breadth of Chinese and world traditions. Among its treasures is the Jiahu bone flute, the oldest known Chinese musical instrument, dating back over 8,000 years.
The museum is organized into four exhibition sections:
- Ancient Chinese Musical Instruments
- Modern Chinese Musical Instruments
- Chinese Minority Folk Musical Instruments
- Foreign Folk Musical Instruments
This structure allows visitors to explore the full span of China’s musical heritage, from archaeological finds to contemporary creations, as well as instruments from other cultures.
Flutes in the Collection
Highlights include the Jiahu bone flute, a heptatonic end-blown instrument of great historical significance, alongside a wide array of bamboo flutes, transverse flutes, and folk wind instruments from Chinese minority cultures and beyond.
Public Access & Visitor Experience:
On-site: Permanent exhibitions open to the public at the Shanghai Conservatory of Music.
Educational Role: Supports music education and cultural research in collaboration with scholars, students, and visiting researchers.
Digital Access:
Limited online presence; most of the collection is accessible through physical exhibitions.