Three museums in Qingdao, East China's Shandong province were proposed for designation as national first-class museums on a list released by the Chinese Museum Association on May 8.

The three museums are the PLA Naval Museum, the former German governor's mansion, and the Qingdao Marine Museum.

The PLA Naval Museum located in Qingdao occupies nearly 9.4 hectares of land and about 141,000 square meters of water. It consists of a cluster of buildings, outdoor exhibition areas and berths. [Photo/WeChat account: qd12301]

The PLA Naval Museum occupies nearly 9.4 hectares of land and about 141,000 square meters of water. It consists of a cluster of buildings, outdoor exhibition areas and berths.

It features a collection of over 4,000 historic documents, artworks and photos, as well as naval hardware. The navy's first destroyer, its first nuclear-powered submarine and a number of fighter jets, bombers and missiles are also housed there. It is currently the largest, most content-rich, and most comprehensive naval-themed museum in China.

The former German governor's mansion in Qingdao. [Photo/WeChat account: qd12301]

The former German governor's mansion was completed in 1907. The building covers an area of 4,083 sq m on a total land area of 55,000 sq m, and it is a European castle-style building.

As the finest example of "German architecture in China", its luxurious decorations and elegant forms still rank at the forefront among individual buildings in China. In 1996, the State Council designated it as a national key cultural relic protection unit. It began operating as a museum open to the public in 1999.

The Qingdao Marine Museum serves as a precursor to China's marine research institutions. [Photo/WeChat account: qd12301]

The Qingdao Marine Museum (also known as the Qingdao Aquarium Museum, or the Qingdao Marine Science and Technology Museum) opened to the public in 1932, and was the first aquarium in China designed and built by Chinese people. It served as a precursor to China's marine research institutions.

Over the course of many years, the Qingdao Marine Museum, as the first museum in Qingdao, has adhered to its aim of strengthening marine awareness and promoting marine culture. It has gradually developed into a renowned marine-themed professional exhibition hall in China.

May 18 marks the 48th International Museum Day. Come explore the rich cultural deposits at museums in Qingdao, and don't miss out on this incredible opportunity to immerse yourself in the rich heritage and profound cultural legacy of the city!