Suzhou Imperial Kiln Brick Museum

A surprisingly impressive museum devoted to the “golden bricks” (金砖) historically produced in Suzhou for China's imperial palaces. The bricks weren't made from gold: they were exceptionally high-quality floor bricks requiring an elaborate production process, making them prestigious and extremely valuable.
The museum combines dramatic contemporary architecture with surviving imperial kiln sites. Designed by acclaimed Chinese architect Liu Jiakun, the complex follows the complete story of the bricks, from the local clay and traditional manufacturing process to their use in imperial buildings.

Covering almost 39,000 sqm, the site includes the main museum, historic kiln remains and cultural spaces, making this as much an architectural and industrial-heritage attraction as a conventional museum.