A guqin notation is displayed at an exhibition in Rugao, Nantong, Jiangsu. [Photo/Rugao Museum]

An exhibition on the history of guqin, a plucked seven-string Chinese musical instrument, opened in Rugao on May 17, scheduled to run through June 16.

The exhibition features nearly 100 items, including ancient guqin instruments, guqin notations, and related calligraphy, paintings, and epitaphs, offering a comprehensive view of the guqin history in Rugao, a county-level city in Nantong, Jiangsu.

Since the Ming and Qing dynasties (1368-1911), Rugao is known to have been home to many notable guqin players, both native and transient.

Curator Li Zi'an researched numerous historical documents and consulted experts in the field to prepare the exhibition over a two-month period. Additionally, renowned guqin musicians and scholars, such as Pei Jinbao and Ma Jie, will host academic lectures and guqin concerts during the exhibition.