Sanxingdui Travel Guide

Sanxingdui Museum is an archaeological museum located in Guanghan, Sichuan Province, China. The museum is renowned for its extensive collection of artifacts from the Sanxingdui archaeological site, which is considered one of the most important ancient discoveries of the 20th century. The Sanxingdui Museum has gained worldwide recognition for the vast amounts of cultural and historical knowledge it has provided us about the Shu culture and the Bronze Age civilization in ancient China. The excavation site is believed to be the former capital of Ancient Shu Kingdom. The discoveries since 1920s have raised a lot of myths about itself and the possible separated civilization origin from central China. The famous discoveries include the huge bronze mask, the big bronze tree and some gold masks. It is said Sanxingdui has slept for thousand years before it woke up and amazed the world. Sanxingdui Museum is located about 50km northeast to Chengdu. The items found at Sanxingdui have been exhibited through out the world.

The Sanxingdui archaeological site was discovered in 1929 by a farmer, but it wasn't until the 1980s that a large-scale excavation began. The site covers an area of approximately 12 square kilometers and consists of two sacrificial pits, numerous workshops, tombs, and residential areas. The excavation uncovered over 1,000 gold, bronze, and jade artifacts, including human and animal figurines, weapons, and ritual vessels.

The Sanxingdui Museum is not only a treasure trove of historical artifacts but also a valuable cultural and educational institution. The museum's significance lies not only in the knowledge it provides us about the past but also in the role it plays in promoting cultural understanding and appreciation. The Sanxingdui Museum is a must-visit destination for anyone interested in ancient history, art, and culture, and is a testament to the rich cultural heritage of China.

How to Get There

To use a bus you need to go to Xinnanmen Tourist centre or Beimen Bus Station to use the bus from Chengdu to Guanghan, the nearest town to Sanxingdui Museum. Scheduled bus depart from the station every 30 minutes from 8:00 to 15:00 and the ticket costs about 15 yuan and 1.5 hours. After arrive in the bus station in Guanghan, recommended to use a taxi from there to the museum as it usually takes a long time to wait the bus. The taxi costs about 20 yuan. The museum is in the country side hence no taxis sometimes. So when coming back from the museum, try to have a taxi driver’s number before hand or try the shared taxis parked by the exit of the museum.

Notice:

Sometimes there are direct tourist buses from Wuhou Shrine to Sanxingdui Museum in the morning by 11:30.

What to see at Sanxingdui

The most significant findings at the Sanxingdui site are the large bronze masks and figurines. The bronze masks are the largest ever found in China and are believed to have been used for ceremonial purposes. The masks have exaggerated features, such as bulging eyes, protruding eyebrows, and gaping mouths, and are adorned with intricate designs and patterns. The figurines, which range in size from a few centimeters to over two meters, depict humans, animals, and mythical creatures. They are also elaborately decorated with intricate patterns and designs.

The artifacts found at Sanxingdui are estimated to be from the Shu culture, which existed in the Sichuan Basin from the 16th to the 11th century BCE. The discovery of the site has challenged the previously held belief that the Zhou dynasty (1046–256 BCE) was the origin of Chinese civilization. The artifacts at Sanxingdui suggest that the Shu culture was highly developed, with advanced technology in bronze casting and a unique artistic style.

The Sanxingdui Museum was established in 1992 to house and showcase the artifacts found at the site. The museum covers an area of over 12,000 square meters and is divided into three sections. The first section introduces the history of the Shu culture and the archaeological excavation of Sanxingdui. The second section displays the various artifacts found at the site, including bronze masks, figurines, and jade ornaments. The third section showcases the cultural and artistic achievements of the Shu culture, including their music, dance, and religion.

The Sanxingdui Museum has played a significant role in promoting the study and appreciation of the Shu culture and the Bronze Age civilization in ancient China. The museum has attracted millions of visitors from around the world, including archaeologists, historians, and art lovers. The museum has also been instrumental in raising awareness of the importance of preserving cultural heritage and has helped to promote the development of cultural tourism in Sichuan Province.

The Sanxingdui Museum has played a significant role in promoting the study and appreciation of the Shu culture and the Bronze Age civilization in ancient China. The museum has attracted millions of visitors from around the world, including archaeologists, historians, and art lovers. The museum has also been instrumental in raising awareness of the importance of preserving cultural heritage and has helped to promote the development of cultural tourism in Sichuan Province.

Best Time to Go

The best time to visit Sanxingdui Museum is all year round.But try to avoid the busy traveling season at the first week of October and the first week of May. Also the summer school vacation time in July and August there usually are lots of visitors.

Recommended Chengdu Sanxingdui Tour

Explore Sanxingdui Civilization Plus Panda Visit - 1 Day

Departure: Private Tour / Flexible Date
Route: Chengdu / Sanxingdui / Chengdu

This tour's best highlight is to discover the oldest civilization in Sichuan nearly 5,000 years ago - Sanxingdui. The site excavated some of the greatest and mysterious artifacts which has proved Sanxingdui as a super-prosperous civilization. But why it disappeared suddenly without any signs. Now you have chance to find the answer on your own. In the morning, you wll also pay a visit to the Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding to visit the cute panda families.