Music helps the past and present tune in

Among the rare and exquisite treasures is a collection of guqin pieces by the revered Lei family of Sichuan. The guqin, an ancient Chinese stringed instrument, was particularly prized during the Tang Dynasty (618-907). According to legend, Lei Wei, the most famous craftsman of the Lei family, would travel to the mountains on snowy days, listening to the resonant sound of wind-blown branches, a poetic method for selecting raw materials for the guqin.

These guqin relics, housed at the Chongqing China Three Gorges Museum, span centuries of musical history, showcasing pieces from the Tang Dynasty onward.

"With more than 50 guqin pieces, Chongqing's collection ranks among the best in the country, making it an invaluable resource for studying this ancient instrument," says Ran Longmei, a Party committee member of the museum.