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Huanbei Shang City is the site of the capital city of the middle Shang Dynasty. The ruins of the Yinxu royal mausoleum, the palace and ancestral temple ruins, and the ruins of Huanbei Shang City together form the vast and magnificent Yinxu site. The Huanbei Shang City ruins lie to the north of the East Yinxu Conservation Area, with the traditional Yinxu site to its southwest, slightly overlapping.
The city site is roughly square in shape, 2.2 kilometers long from north to south and 2.15 kilometers wide from east to west, covering a total area of approximately 4.7 square kilometers. Rammed earth foundation trenches have been confirmed around the perimeter. The palace area of the Huanbei Shang City, located south of the city's north-south central axis, exhibits early characteristics of Chinese urban layout and forms the core of the city. It measures over 500 meters from north to south and well over 200 meters from east to west. Over 30 large rammed earth foundations have been discovered within the palace area. The largest, the famous Palace No. 1 foundation, covers a total area of 16,000 square meters and is the largest single Shang Dynasty building foundation discovered to date. Dense settlements cover nearly 2 million square meters in the northern part of the city site (north of the palace area). These settlements are densely populated with houses, tombs, ash pits, and wells.
According to current archaeological discoveries, the age of the Huanbei Shang City site is slightly later than the early Shang culture of the Luoyang Yanshi Shang City and the Zhengzhou Shang City, and earlier than the late Shang culture of the Yin Ruins in the traditional sense. Therefore, this Shang City is likely to be a capital city site in the middle and late Shang Dynasty.
The temperate monsoon climate and the discovery of the Shang city ruins in Huanbei have changed the concept of Yinxu. They have also extended the history of the Shang Dynasty. It is suitable for travel in all seasons.
The foundation site of Palace No. 1 in Huanbei Shangcheng is located southeast of the palace area, on the southern section of the north-south central axis. It measures 173 meters from east to west and approximately 90 meters from north to south, covering an area of 16,000 square meters. Its overall structure is in the shape of a Chinese character "回," much like a modern courtyard house. Its orientation aligns with that of the city. The entire site consists of a gatehouse (including two doorways), a main hall, two flanking corridors, a western side hall, and two long corridors flanking the gatehouse.
It is recommended to play for about 1 hour.
Included in the Yinxu Ruins ticket price of 90 yuan per person
08:00-18:30 (April-September)
08:00-17:30 (October to March of the following year)
Huanbei Shang City Ruins is an important archaeological site from the late Shang Dynasty, revealing ancient urban planning, city walls, and cultural relics. It provides insight into early Chinese civilization and the political center of the Shang rulers.
Located near Anyang city, Henan. Accessible by taxi or local bus from the city center. Walking is needed to explore the ruins thoroughly.
Open from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM. Spring and autumn offer the best weather and fewer crowds.
Entrance fees are generally around 30–50 CNY. Tickets can be purchased at the site or through official tourism websites.
Booking is optional for individual visitors. For large groups or guided tours, booking a few days in advance is recommended.
Plan for 1.5–2 hours to walk through the main ruins, walls, and exhibition areas.
Guided tours may be available in Chinese; English tours or audio guides are limited and should be requested in advance.
Night visits and light shows are not available. Special tours may occur during cultural festivals or academic events.
The site is generally quiet. Weekdays and off-season months have the fewest visitors.
Accessible for most visitors, but uneven terrain and open ruins may limit wheelchair access.
Cash is accepted for entrance and small purchases. Mobile payments like WeChat Pay or Alipay may also be used.
Restaurants and small cafes are available in nearby Anyang city offering local cuisine.
Vegetarian options are available; vegan or halal options may be limited.
Several hotels and guesthouses in Anyang city provide convenient lodging for visitors.
Souvenir shops near the entrance sell postcards, small artifacts replicas, and cultural crafts.
Taxis, ride-hailing apps, or local buses can connect visitors to other historical sites or the city center.
