The Museum of Traditional Chinese Opera in Kunshan City (CFP Photo)

Jiangsu’s museums made significant strides in various areas in 2023, according to a press conference held in Nanjing on May 6, as part of the province’s celebrations for the upcoming International Museum Day.

The coastal province took the national lead in terms of protection and research of cultural relics, as well as museum public services.

As of the end of 2023, Jiangsu boasted 355 museums, among which 313 or about 88.2% were open to the public for free.

These museums cover a wide range of subjects, including history, culture, art, regional documents, the revolutionary era, archaeology, natural science and technology.

Most are dedicated to history and culture, accounting for 31.3% of the total.

By the end of 2023, the province's museums had amassed a total collection of nearly 1.79 million items (sets).

In 2023, Jiangsu’s museums organized nearly 2,500 exhibitions and welcomed 120 million visitors.