After more than a year of upgrades and refurbishment, the China National Silk Museum, one of Hangzhou's two state-level museums reopened to the public for trial operation in early September.

China National Silk Museum was first unveiled in February, 1991. After almost 25 years it was closed and prepared for a large-scale expansion and reconstruction for the first time in August, 2015.

The reopened museum covers 90,000 square meters, with its Jiangnan garden occupying 40,000 square meters.

In addition to the upgrades and refurbishment of the existing halls, including the Silk Road and Textile Hall, the reconstruction also involves the expansion of the Fashion Hall and repair of the research center and café.

A bird's eye view of the China National Silk Museum after its refurbishment. [Photo from zjol.com.cn]