A new museum displaying delicate gemstone carvings in Taicang, Jiangsu province has been a favorite for stone appreciators this December.

Taicang's new museum of gemstone carving opens on Dec 18 and is located near the city's famous Yanshan Garden. [Photo/wechat: TaicangTourism]

Viewing stones has been an art of appreciation for over three thousand years, originally deriving from the Spring and Autumn Period (770-476BC).

A meticulous stone carving in the shape of a mansion surrounfed by mountains. [Photo/wechat: TaicangTourism]

The expanding collection has been moved to Taicang for a better climate to preserve these natural handcrafts made of natural stone, including Hetian jade, amethyst, bloodstone and jadeite.

A lychee-shaped gemstone carving with an ornament of a carved cricket is displayed at the gemstone carving museum in Taicang, Jiangsu province. [Photo/wechat: TaicangTourism]

The new venue covers some 2000 square meters to enrich the cultural life of locals.

Time: 8:30-16:30 Monday to Sunday Ticket price: 50 yuan ($7.19) each

Address: near Yanshan Garden, Changchun Road, Taicang