First ever international exhibition about the Great Wall on show at Melbourne Museum.  Including rare objects such as a Terracotta Warrior, crossbow, sword and axe from the Qin Dynasty (221- 206 BCE), a bronze Funerary mask from the Liao Dynasty (916 – 1125 AD) and formal court robes belonging to the Qianlong Emperor (reigned 1736-1795), the exhibition will bring to life many of the fascinating stories associated with The Great Wall of China over a period of 2,500 years. Featuring treasures dated as far back as 475 BCE, many never before seen outside China On exhibition until 22 July, 2007. The exhibition will showcase more than 120 historical treasures and artifacts drawn primarily from the collection of the National Museum of China, supplemented by objects from the Palace Museum in Beijing, Gansu Provincial Museum, Gansu Provincial Institute of Archaeology, the Municipal Museum of Dunhuang and Shanhaiguan Great Wall Museum.  The exhibition will include many Grade One classified Chinese national treasures and objects that have never before been seen outside of China.

"The Great Wall of China is a once in a lifetime opportunity to experience one of the great wonders of the world. Visitors to Melbourne Museum will be fascinated and enthralled by this unique insight into China's history." said Dr J Patrick Greene, CEO, Museum Victoria.

Themes that will be explored in the exhibition include the origins, construction and military functions of the long walls that constitute The Great Wall and the richness and diversity of the cultures and peoples who lived around them.

Contemporary topics that are explored include recent archaeological excavations, remote sensor mapping of the walls, Chinese and international heritage provisions for different sections of the wall, conservation and the significance of The Great Wall of China as a national symbol, cultural heritage object, and tourism icon.

 "This exhibition has taken over four years to develop and bring to Australia. It is the first exhibition to tell the story of The Great Wall of China, from its origin as a series of military barriers, first built some 2,500 years ago, to its unique status today as the world's largest heritage object and one of China's most visited tourist destinations," said Dr Claire Roberts, Senior Curator, Powerhouse Museum in Sydney.

To celebrate this blockbuster exhibition, Melbourne Museum has developed the 'Watchtower Room', a dedicated space within The Great Wall of China for a variety of children's activities, as well as creating a special family activity trail, performances, curator lectures and archaeological programs.  All activities are included with exhibition admission.