Acclaimed Chinese actor and director Zhang Guoli has been named the Foundation for the WA Museum’s Exhibition Cultural Ambassador for Terracotta Warriors: Legacy of the First Emperor, arriving at WA Museum Boola Bardip on Saturday 28 June 2025.
One of China's most iconic and influential screen talents, Zhang Guoli is a celebrated actor, director, and producer whose career spans over five decades. Renowned for his powerful performances, cultural depth, and distinctive artistic vision, Zhang is a household name across generations. He’s also lent his voice to the Chinese versions of global hits like Tarzan, Finding Nemo, and Kung Fu Panda, bringing beloved animated characters to life to the Chinese audience.
Zhang Guoli is a passionate advocate for museums and their role in enriching communities. He hosts the immensely popular CMG program The Nation’s Greatest Treasures, which explores the historical and cultural context of artefacts held in museums across China. The program, which won Best Variety Program (Seasonal) at the 24th Shanghai Television Festival and has become a household name, has helped transform museums from niche destinations into major cultural attractions. Following the broadcast of its first episode, online searches for museum-related travel surged by 50%, and each episode has attracted more than 10 million views.
As host of The Nation’s Greatest Treasures and now Exhibition Cultural Ambassador, Zhang Guoli will travel to Perth for the opening week of Terracotta Warriors: Legacy of the First Emperor. The exhibition will also feature in the very first international segment of CMG’s new program Grand Tour of the Nation’s Greatest Treasures, with WA Museum Boola Bardip as the featured destination.
Zhang Guoli said his love of museums stems from a deep appreciation of Chinese history and culture, and he firmly believes they play an important role in preserving and sharing cultural heritage.
He adds, “Museums can provide opportunities for cultural exchange and understanding, both within China and across the globe. The Terracotta Warriors: Legacy of the First Emperor exhibition at the WA Museum is a wonderful example of this, and I am looking forward to visiting the exhibition and sharing the experience with others."
