The Oriental Museum is the only museum in the North of Britain devoted entirely to the art and archaeology of the Orient. Our Chinese and Egyptian collections are among the finest to be found anywhere in Britain.
Visitors can explore galleries devoted to China, Ancient Egypt, Japan, India and Tibet, the Islamic World and South East Asia. Use the links on the left to help you find information to plan your visit or explore our collections.
Museum Temporary Closure Notice
Please note that the Museum will be closed to the public for one day, on Tuesday 29th May. We will re-open on Wednesday 30th May at 10am.
the current Japanese gallery
Gallery closures during April and May 2012
New Japanese and Korean galleries are due to open at the Oriental Museum in autumn 2013.
Preparations for the new galleries will make it necessary to close some sections of the museum for short periods of time between 16th April and 28th May this year. This will impact at different times on current displays relating to Japan, South East Asia, India, Tibet and the Islamic World. For more information see our Redevelopment Project pages or phone 0191 334 5694 for up to date information before you visit.
The work will not impact on either of our Ancient Egypt or China galleries which will remain open throughout. We apologise for any inconvenience caused.
Family Activities
Come along to enjoy our craft activities for children on Wednesday and Friday afternoon during the Whitsun holidays, and have fun following our Royal Jubilee trail.
Visit our What's on page for information about these activities, and find out about our exciting new club for 0-5 year olds 'Little Dragons'.
Current and Forthcoming Exhibitions
Beyond the Great Wave
9th December 2011 - 27th May 2012
Hokusai, book illustration and the origins of manga.
MANGA: Made in Japan
2nd March - 17th June 2012
An exhibition of contemporary Manga artwork and anime created by local students and inspired by the Oriental Museum's Japanese collections.
One in Five: Photographs from China
22nd June - 16th September 2012
For more information see our Exhibitions page.
Friends Lectures
The Friends of the Oriental Museum host a series of monthly lectures over the year. Information on next year's lectures will follow soon. Please visit our Friends page for further information.
Treasures of the Oriental Museum
This book includes 50 short essays highlighting some of the treasures of the Oriental Museum collections. Written by artists, curators, researchers, students and collectors from the UK and around the world, the essays offer a wide range of viewpoints on this enormously varied and fascinating collection accompanied by all new colour photography.
Treasures of the Oriental Museum is now available to order online via Durham University's Online shop.
For further information on forthcoming events and activities go to our What's On page.
@dumuseums
Durham University is home to two very different museums: the Oriental Museum and the Old Fulling Mill Museum of Archaeology.
- The Oriental Museum will be closed for one day on Tuesday 29th May. We reopen on Wednesday 30th May at 10am.
Tweeted 5 days ago - 'Skeleton Science' exhibition at The Old Fulling Mill Museum is now open! http://t.co/DT0buQvD
Tweeted 5 days ago - RT @Culture24: Brilliant to see all the tweets about @museumsatnight - keep them coming, and let us know where you're going this weekend ...
Tweeted 1 week ago - Come along to the Old Fulling Mill Museum this Friday evening, for our #MatN2012 activity.. booking essential http://t.co/FEImkqca
Tweeted 1 week ago
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