Hotpot museum gives Chongqing a taste of history

A museum dedicated to hotpot cuisine, with more than 600 pots and other items on display, opened in Chongqing on Thursday.

The three-story private museum is located in the city’s southeast area.

The first floor focuses on modern hotpots, displaying pots from all over the world. The second floor covers the Chongqing hotpot, and related art works, and the third highlights the history of hotpots, with particular emphasis on Chinese hotpot culture.

The most prized collections include a pot used in the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), when Emperor Qianlong hosted a banquet for 1,000 elderly people, and a tri-colored glazed pot of the Tang Dynasty (AD 618-907).

The museum is owned by Nie Ganru, a businessman and a hotpot fan.

A 37-meter-tall hotpot graces the museum’s exterior.

The museum only takes group appointments.

Hotpot is popular in Chongqing municipality. While the hotpot is simmering, ingredients are placed into the pot and people select items at their leisure.

Chongqing hotpot is famous for a spicy taste and the history of the Chongqing hotpot dates back 1,000 years.