CHINESE treasures which have been locked away for decades will be on public display today when the University of Durham's Oriental Museum reopens its doors.
Thanks to Lottery funding, the museum has been able to create a Chinese Gallery, as well as providing extra exhibition space.
The gallery has a central section, which represents a typical Chinese building with an upturned roofline.
At the centre of the exhibiton is an intricately carved 19th Century bed, displayed in an apartment reminiscent of the Imperial Palace.
Other exhibits include a selection of Chinese clothing from concubines' skirts, to the tiny shoes worn when women bound their feet.
There is also a collection of Chinese jades, ivory, horn and woodcarving.
The museum has been closed for ten months. For today, it will be open from 10am to 5pm.
General opening times will be from Monday to Friday, 10am to 5pm, and Saturdays and Sundays from noon to 5.30pm
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