The exhibition uses the famous tomb of Li Jingxun as a primary lens through which to view the transition from the Northern and Southern dynasties (386-589 CE) to the Sui dynasty (581-618 CE). Organized into four distinct sections, the exhibition integrates major archaeological finds from recent years to map out a vivid, systematic picture of the Sui dynasty's political structures, economic vitality, diverse social culture, and deepening ethnic integration.
Li Jingxun's tomb is widely regarded as a milestone in Chinese archaeology due to the incredible preservation and artistry of its contents. Beyond their aesthetic value, these objects offer concrete evidence for the study of daily life and imperial customs during the Sui era. The girl's epitaph provides a window into the highest echelons of power; as the granddaughter of Yang Lihua, a Northern Zhou dynasty empress, and the great-granddaughter of Yang Jian, the founding emperor of Sui, Li Jingxun was a "pearl in the palm" of the imperial family. Her brief life was spent at the intersection of the Dugu, Yuwen, Yang, and Li clans—the four families that effectively steered the course of Chinese history toward the Tang dynasty (618-907 CE).