Zhejiang's first archaeological museum, the Yujia Mountain Archaeological Museum, is set to open in May. [Photo/tidenews.com.cn]

Zhejiang's first archaeological museum, the Yujia Mountain Archaeological Museum, is set to open in May as construction enters its final phase.

Located in the Linping district of Hangzhou – capital of China's East Zhejiang province – the complex will display key archaeological discoveries, including artifacts from the Linping Site Complex, Maoshan Mountain Site and Yujia Mountain Site.

The museum's design is inspired by mountain forms, featuring a layered rooftop and open stone facades.

Its construction posed significant engineering challenges, particularly in the precise installation of a 94-meter-long open stone facade, where tolerances had to be kept to within 2 millimeters.

A precisely positioned five-panel inclined wall at the southern end required advanced techniques to ensure seamless alignment.

The project adopted the REMPC – research, engineering, manufacturing, procurement and construction – model, which integrated research and manufacturing into the traditional engineering and construction process.

The approach is understood to have helped achieve higher precision in materials – particularly the natural travertine stone used for the facade, which required meticulous planning as it could not be modified after installation.

Discovered in 2011, the Yujia Mountain Site has since yielded over 8,000 artifacts and it was recognized as one of China's top 10 archaeological discoveries of the year.

With its innovative design and immersive exhibitions, the Yujia Mountain Archaeological Museum is expected to become a cultural landmark, offering visitors a unique blend of historical discovery and architectural beauty.

The complex is located within the Yujia Mountain Archaeological Site Park. [Photo/tidenews.com.cn]