The National Museum in Riyadh is hosting “The Sound of Harmony: A Journey Through Ancient Chinese Music” Exhibition as part of the Saudi-China Cultural Year 2025, according to the Saudi Press Agency.
Organized by the Saudi Museums Commission in collaboration with the National Museum of China, the exhibition will run until December 1, further boosting Saudi-Chinese cultural cooperation.
Through over 100 rare musical artifacts, the “The Sound of Harmony” takes visitors on an educational and artistic journey showcasing the evolution of Chinese music across millennia.
Highlights include ancient bone flutes, bronze bells, the traditional guqin, and the twelve lü pipes—each piece reflecting the deep-rooted connection between music, ritual practice, and cultural identity in China.
Overall, the exhibition boasts five key sections, as follows:
- “In Tune with Heaven and Earth”
- “Echoes from Stone and Bronze”
- “Mutual Melodies Between Regions and Strangers”
- “A Tribute to Chinese Musical Heritage”
- “Mountains and Waters, Wind in the Forest”
These sections provide an overview to China’s musical experience, from the earliest instruments designed to communicate with nature, to music’s major role in rituals and social systems, its interaction with neighboring cultures, along with its presence in both imperial and folk traditions.
The event also displays archaeological artifacts, offering rare glimpses into the philosophical and spiritual role of music in Chinese civilization.
The Museums Commission emphasized that hosting this exhibition marks a milestone in cultural cooperation between Saudi Arabia and China. It underscores the strength of bilateral ties as both nations expand their partnership across several fields.
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