Situs Kota China Museum, History museum in Paya Pasir, Indonesia
The Situs Kota China Museum is a history museum in Paya Pasir, North Sumatra, built on an archaeological site near Lake Siombak. The collection on display comes directly from excavations at the location and contains ceramics, coins, and Buddhist statues from across Asia.
Between the 12th and 14th centuries, this site was a busy trading port that attracted merchants from Persia, India, China, and Sri Lanka. Over time the port lost its role, and the site was abandoned, leaving behind layers of objects that were only uncovered through modern excavations.
The objects on display come from many parts of Asia and show how traders from distant lands left traces at this site. Persian pottery, Chinese ceramics, and Indian Buddhist statues sit side by side in the same collection, reflecting how the place once connected very different worlds.
The building has stairs and the surrounding ground is uneven, so the site is not accessible for visitors with limited mobility. Getting there is easiest with a private vehicle or a hired driver, as the area is not well served by public transport.
Among the objects recovered from the site are remains of old ships, which are direct physical proof that maritime trade took place here and not just nearby. Ship remains of this kind are rare in Southeast Asia, making this one of the few places where you can see tangible evidence of sea trade from that period.
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