Sanxingdui Museum
Guanghan, Sichuan
Learn about the ancient and mysterious Bronze-Age Shu culture at the Sanxingdui Museum. Located on the grounds of the Sanxingdui archaeological site north of Chengdu, the museum displays relics unearthed at the site, including more than 1,000 bronze, gold, jade, and other artifacts dating back 3,000 to 5,000 years.
The Basics
The Sanxingdui Museum covers an area of nearly 129,170 square feet (12,000 square meters), comprising a beautifully landscaped garden and two exhibition halls. The first hall houses gold, copper, jade, stone, and pottery artifacts; the second is devoted to bronze pieces. Highlights include unusual bronze and gold masks, an 8.6-foot-tall (2.62-meter) standing statue, an ancient gold cane, and a 13-foot (3.95-meter) bronze tree complete with birds, flowers, and ornaments.
Many tours combine a visit to the Sanxingdui Museum with a visit to the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding. Archaeology fans can learn even more about Shu culture with a visit to the Jinsha archaeological site. Or opt for a private tour and you can add a stop at the museum to any customized itinerary.
Things to Know Before You Go
The Sanxingdui Museum is ideal for archaeology buffs.
There are separate entrance fees for the museum and the garden.
Most visitors spend two to three hours here.
Free audio guides in English and Mandarin are available.
Paid, 80-minute guided tours are offered in Mandarin, Cantonese, Tibetan, English, and Japanese.
Full-day tours from Chengdu can last upwards of eight hours.
How to Get There
The Sanxingdui Museum is located 25 miles (40 kilometers) north of Chengdu. A direct bus departs from Chengdu New South Gate (Xinnanmen) Bus Station twice daily. Alternatively, take a bus to Guanghan City, then bus number 6 or 10 to the museum. You can also take a train to Guanghan North Station, then a taxi to the museum.
When to Get There
The Sanxingdui Museum is open daily year-round. The first gallery’s hours are 8:30am to 6pm, and the second gallery is open from 8:30am to 6:30pm. Given the travel time required, a trip from Chengdu often takes most of the day.
Jinsha Site Museum Chengdu
The Jinsha archaeological site was discovered in 2001 in Chengdu. A large number of relics—including bronze, gold, jade, ivory, and lacquerware—have been excavated from the site and are on display in the museum. Highlights include the Sunbird, a symbol of the Shu, and relics in a rare black wood. There is a ruins hall, an exhibition hall, and a 4D cinema.
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