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The Sanxingdui Ruins, located on the south bank of the Yazi River northwest of Guanghan City, Sichuan Province, cover an area of 12 square kilometers and date back 5,000 to 3,000 years. They are the largest, longest-lasting, and most culturally rich ancient city, ancient kingdom, and ancient Shu cultural site discovered in Southwest China. The eastern, western, and southern city walls, as well as the inner wall of Moon Bay, are among the most well-preserved. The Sanxingdui Ruins are considered one of the greatest archaeological discoveries of the 20th century, demonstrating that the Yangtze River Basin, like the Yellow River Basin, is the mother of Chinese civilization and is known as the "Source of Yangtze River Civilization."
The unearthed artifacts are invaluable human cultural heritage, among the most historically, scientifically, culturally, and artistically valuable, and most spectacular, among all Chinese cultural relics. Among these ancient Shu treasures are a 2.62-meter-tall bronze standing figure, a 1.38-meter-wide bronze mask, and a 3.95-meter-tall bronze sacred tree, all truly unique and exceptional. Furthermore, the gold artifacts, exemplified by the golden staff, and the jade and stone artifacts, exemplified by the richly decorated border scepters, are also among the rarest and most precious items ever found.
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West City Wall
The western city wall is located on a high plateau between the Yazi River and the Mamu River in the northwest of the Sanxingdui site. It runs northeast-southwest. The existing section is approximately 600 meters long, with a top width of approximately 10-30 meters, a base width of 35-50 meters, and a height of approximately 3-6 meters. A gap approximately 20 meters wide is located in the middle and north of the wall, dividing the western city wall into three sections: north, middle, and south. The southern end of the middle section curves eastward at the gap and extends approximately 40 meters, connecting slightly perpendicularly with the northern section of the middle section. Based on partial test excavations, combined with analysis of wall sections and rammed earth inclusions exposed by scouring from the Yazi River in the north and the Mamu River in the south, the structure, mass, rammed earth method, and age of the western city wall are similar to those of the south and east walls.
Moon Bay City Wall
The Yueliangwan wall is located on the eastern edge of the Yueliangwan Terrace in the north-central part of the Sanxingdui ruins. It can be divided into two sections: the northern section runs northeast-southwest, while the southern section bends slightly eastward, maintaining a generally true north-south orientation. The entire wall is roughly parallel to the northern section of the western wall. The existing section of the wall is approximately 650 meters long, with a top width of approximately 20 meters and a height of 2.4 to 5 meters. Its base width at the northern end is approximately 30 to 45 meters, with a mid-section bend at an angle of 148 degrees, a 32-degree angle at the northern end, and a true north-south orientation at the southern end. The southern section of the wall is higher, significantly flattened by agricultural land, and reaches a width of 80 meters. A moat was located on the eastern (outer) side of the wall, 40 to 55 meters wide. Excavated sections show a depth of 3.5 meters from the surface, and the moat's mouth is 2.95 meters from the bottom.
sacrificial pit
The famous sacrificial pits No. 1 and No. 2, located over 50 meters southeast of the Sanxingdui city wall and 25 meters apart, are among the most significant archaeological discoveries at the Sanxingdui site. The chambers in both pits align, running northeast to southwest. The pits are rectangular, with a large opening and a narrow base. The walls are neatly arranged, and the fill is rammed.
Pit No. 1's opening is 4.5 to 4.64 meters long, 3.3 to 3.48 meters wide, and 1.46 to 1.64 meters deep. A tunnel, approximately 1 meter wide and 0.34 (incomplete) to 3.85 meters long, extends symmetrically on each of its three sides. Pit No. 2, lacking a tunnel, has an opening 5.3 meters long, 2.2 to 2.3 meters wide, and 1.4 to 1.68 meters deep. The objects within the pit chamber are arranged in layers, demonstrating an unprecedented burial pattern. Most of the objects were clearly intentionally burned or damaged during or before burial, resulting in burns, blackening, cracking, deformation, foaming, or even melting. Other artifacts are damaged, broken, or even shattered into pieces (fragments) scattered throughout the pit. Some bronze artifacts, heads, and masks have vermilion painted on their mouths and blackened eyes. A total of 567 artifacts of various types were unearthed from Pit No. 1, including 178 bronze products, 4 gold products, 129 jade artifacts, 70 stone artifacts, 13 ivory tusks, 124 seashells, 10 bone artifacts (carved with cloud and thunder patterns), 39 complete pottery pieces and about 3 cubic meters of burnt bone debris.
A total of 6,095 relics of various types were unearthed from Pit No. 2 (including fragments and identifiable individuals of fragments), including 736 bronze products, 61 pieces (pieces) of gold products, 486 jade artifacts, 15 stone artifacts, 3 turquoise artifacts, 67 ivory artifacts, 120 ivory beads, 4 ivory artifacts, 3 tiger teeth, and 4,600 seashells.
Sanxingdui City Wall
Based on the wall's foundation, the Sanxingdui wall was 260 meters long and 42 meters wide. A moat, 30 to 35 meters wide and 2.84 meters deep, ran along the south side of the wall. Two breaches, forming the "three piles," were cut into the wall. These breaches date back no earlier than the Ming Dynasty. Therefore, Sanxingdui was an inner wall. Some scholars have characterized Sanxingdui as an altar, or simply as an earthen altar. This should be corrected.
Located in the southern part of the Sanxingdui site, the wall runs northwest-southeast. The existing section at the northwest end is approximately 40 meters long, while only a small rammed earth edge remains at the southeast end, along the banks of the Mamu River. The original wall structure is still vaguely visible. Dissection and survey data indicate that the remaining section of the Sanxingdui wall is approximately 6 meters high, 5-7 meters wide at the top, and 40-45 meters wide at the base. Its structure, construction method, mass, and inclusions are essentially identical to those of the east, west, and south walls, except that its top is less wide than the other walls.
Regular ticket: 82 yuan/ticket (postage postcard type ticket)
8:30-17:00
Sanxingdui Ruins date back over 3,000 years and are key to understanding the ancient Shu civilization. The site is famous for its large bronze masks, statues, and artifacts that reveal sophisticated metallurgy and unique cultural practices distinct from other early Chinese civilizations.
Booking in advance is recommended, especially during peak tourist seasons, ideally 1–2 weeks prior to visiting.
Plan 2–3 hours for the museum, exhibitions, and site grounds; add extra time if attending workshops or guided tours.
Guided tours and audio guides are available in Mandarin and English, providing detailed explanations of the artifacts and history.
Begin with the outdoor excavation site, proceed to the main exhibition halls showcasing bronze artifacts and masks, then visit the jade and gold galleries, and finish with temporary exhibitions and museum gardens.
Night visits are not typical; special events or temporary exhibitions may be scheduled seasonally, usually announced on the museum website.
Peak crowds occur on weekends and Chinese holidays. Weekdays, especially mornings, are less crowded.
The museum is mostly wheelchair accessible; paths and ramps are provided, but some outdoor areas may require walking over uneven surfaces.
Cards and mobile payments (WeChat Pay, Alipay) are widely accepted; small cash may be useful for minor purchases.
Vegetarian and vegan options are available; halal options may require searching in nearby city restaurants.
