Awarded the 2026 Prix Versailles, the Xuelei Perfume Museum has become a global benchmark thanks to its spectacular architecture and exhibitions devoted to the art of fragrance. Discover this architectural gem in China.
Each year, the Prix Versailles celebrates architectural achievements that define their era. For its 12th edition, unveiled last May, the prestigious award recognised seven museums as among the most beautiful in the world, including the Xuelei Perfume Museum. It joins distinguished institutions such as the Zayed National Museum in Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates), the Museum of Narrative Art in Tokyo (Japan), and the National Medal of Honor Museum in Arlington (United States).
Opened in 2025 in the Chinese city of Guangzhou, this cultural masterpiece immediately captures attention. While it is entirely dedicated to the world of perfume, the site is equally renowned for its striking architecture.
A full-scale tribute to the culture of fragrance
The Xuelei Perfume Museum is unlike any other cultural institution. Covering 9,500 square metres, it is currently recognised by Guinness World Records as the largest museum in the world dedicated to fragrance.
Every day, the museum tells the story of perfume, drawing on more than three decades of expertise. Visitors are invited to explore the many facets of this fascinating world, from Asia’s ancient traditions to the modern techniques employed by contemporary perfumers.
The museum also embraces an educational approach. Each exhibition space helps visitors understand the role of raw materials, the manufacturing processes involved, and the influence fragrances have had on societies throughout history.
Architecture inspired by the transformation of raw materials
Designed by the architectural practice Shenzhen Huahui Design, the Xuelei Perfume Museum stands out for its distinctive silhouette, composed of eight cylindrical red-brick structures. This design symbolises the various stages involved in creating a perfume.
Inside, visitors move through spacious exhibition halls featuring elegant, almost futuristic installations.
For those who are not afraid of heights, the rooftop garden is well worth a visit. It offers a unique vantage point over the entire complex.
More than 300 olfactory stations to explore the world through scent
The experience offered by the Xuelei Perfume Museum goes far beyond that of a traditional museum visit. The journey includes 18 exhibition spaces and more than 50 interactive installations designed to engage the senses.
Perhaps the museum’s most impressive feature is its 300 olfactory stations. Distributed throughout the building, they allow visitors to discover an extraordinary variety of scents, identify rare ingredients, and gain a deeper understanding of perfume composition.
Two major exhibitions also form the heart of the museum. While The World Fragrance Exhibition explores the key milestones in the history of perfumery, Synesthesia of Scent offers a more artistic interpretation of the field.
Thanks to this immersive approach, a visit to the Xuelei Perfume Museum is, quite literally, a sensory journey.
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Xuelei Perfume MuseumNo. 1, Ketai 2nd Road, Baiyun District
Guangzhou, China
+86 400-992-3868
xuelei.com
