

Since the Tang Dynasty (601–907), Chinese literati have been collecting bizarrely shaped rocks. Placed in the garden as miniature versions of mountain peaks, they represent a microcosm of nature in which the scholar meditates, drawing inspiration from them and devoting himself to the arts of poetry, painting and calligraphy, or playing the zither. Some forms resemble mythical animals, clouds or human shapes. In the Song Dynasty (960–1279), smaller specimens began to be placed on customised wooden stands in scholar’s studios on desks, shelves, or on the floor. In 1127, the official Du Wan wrote the first manual for stone collectors, the “Stone Compendium of the Cloudy Forest” (chin. Yunlin shipu). The most popular types of stone among collectors are Lingbi, Ying, Taihu and Kun stones, which are named after their regions of origin.
The tradition of stone collecting developed hand in hand with those of classical painting and calligraphy. Since the Song Dynasty, painters have incorporated beautiful garden rocks and smaller scholar’s rocks into their compositions – often portraits of cherished models extant in the real world. Just as with brushstrokes in calligraphy, the beauty of stones is admired for its proportions, overlapping layers, and powerful, rhythmic and harmonious structures.
SUPPORTED BY
Orientstiftung zur Förderung der Ostasiatischen Kunst
Fördererkreis des Museums für Ostasiatische Kunst Köln
© Rheinisches Bildarchiv Köln, Marion Mennicken
Opening times
Tuesday to Sunday
11am – 5pm
Every first Thursday in the month
11am – 10pm (except October 3, 2024)
The museum is closed due to the Cologne Marathon on 6 October 2024.
Closed Mondays; open on All Saints' Day
Museum is closed on December 24th, Christmas Day (25 Dec), New Year's Eve (31 Dec) and New Year's Day (1 Jan). Museum is opend on Easter Monday, Whit Monday, German Unity Day and December 26.
Admission prices
€ 9,50 / € 5,50
KölnTag on the first Thursday of the month (except public holidays): free admission to the Museum for all Cologne residents.
How to get here
Public transport: Tram routes 1 and 7 and bus route 142, alight at ‘Universitätsstrasse’
There is a car park at the museum
more
Barrier-free
The museum is barrier-free. Disabled toilet available.
more
Museum für
Ostasiatische Kunst Köln
Universitätsstrasse 100
D 50674 Köln
Ticket office +49.221.221-28617
mok@museenkoeln.de
Legal notice
Opening times
Tuesday to Sunday
11am – 5pm
Every first Thursday in the month
11am – 10pm
Closed Mondays; open on All Saints' Day
Museum is closed on December 24th, Christmas Day (25 Dec), New Year's Eve (31 Dec) and New Year's Day (1 Jan). Museum is opend on Easter Monday, Whit Monday, German Unity Day and December 26.
more
Admission prices
€ 7,50 /reduced € 4,50
from 20 June
€ 9,50 /reduced € 5,50
KölnTag on the first Thursday of the month (except public holidays): free admission to the Museum for all Cologne residents.
more
How to get here
Public transport: Tram routes 1 and 7 and bus route 142, alight at ‘Universitätsstrasse’
There is a car park at the museum
more
Barrier-free
The museum is barrier-free. Disabled toilet available.
more
Museum für
Ostasiatische Kunst Köln
Universitätsstrasse 100
D 50674 Köln
Ticket office +49.221.221-28617
mok@museenkoeln.de
Legal notice