Sanxingdui Museum is a thematic site museum showcasing the brilliant achievements of the ancient Shu civilization, renowned for mysterious bronze masks, sacred trees, jade artifacts, and more.
Witness the mysterious Sanxingdui bronze civilization and feel the awe and mystery of the ancient Shu Kingdom.
Sanxingdui Museum is a cultural pilgrimage site everyone should visit in their lifetime. The artifacts are so bizarre and exquisite that they leave you in awe. Though it's a bit far, it's absolutely worth making a special trip.
Tickets & Transport
Tickets
- Adult ticket
- ¥72
- Child ticket
- ¥36
- Free
- No
- Ticket methods
- Tickets can be purchased via the official WeChat public account or on-site. Online booking in advance is recommended.
- Ticket notes
- Real-name ticket purchase with ID is required. Children, students, seniors, etc. may enjoy discounts, subject to the scenic area's regulations.
Opening Hours
- Last entry
- 17:00
- Ticket sales end
- 16:30
- Holiday hours
- Opening hours may be extended during statutory holidays. Please follow official announcements.
- Seasonal hours
- In winter (November to March of the following year), the museum may close early. Please refer to the day's official notice.
- Opening notes
- Open all year round, including Mondays.
Best Time to Visit
- Best time of day
- Early morning right after opening has fewer visitors and good lighting for photos.
- Best day of week
- Weekdays (Tuesday to Thursday)
- Best season
- Spring and autumn (March-May, September-November), with pleasant weather.
- Avoid times
- Weekend and holiday afternoons (13:00-15:00) are the busiest.
- Avoid days
- The first and last days of statutory holidays
- Crowd level
- Very High
- Crowd peak time
- 10:00-14:00
Getting There
- Metro station
- Petroleum University Station (Chengdu Metro Line 3)
- Metro line
- Line 3
- Metro exit
- Exit C
- Metro distance
- About 18 km (from the museum)
- Metro walk
- Requires a bus transfer or taxi ride
In Detail
Sanxingdui Museum is located in Guanghan City, Sichuan Province. It is a thematic museum built on the Sanxingdui archaeological site. Construction began in 1987, and it officially opened in 1997. The museum primarily displays the remains of the ancient Shu civilization dating back approximately 3,000 to 5,000 years. Its excavated artifacts are unique in form and exquisite in craftsmanship, distinctly different from the Central Plains bronze culture, earning it the title "Source of the Yangtze River Civilization."
The collection is most famous for its bronze artifacts, such as the 3.95-meter-tall Bronze Sacred Tree, the vertical-eye mask, and the golden scepter. Their designs are full of mystery, reflecting the unique religious beliefs and artistic creativity of the ancient Shu people. There are also numerous jade objects, pottery, ivory, and cowrie shells, reflecting the highly developed handicraft industry and external exchanges of that time.
The museum building itself is also distinctive, with a spiral upward design symbolizing "piles of three stars, the eye of ancient Shu." The modern exhibition halls feature meticulous lighting and display case design, creating a mysterious and awe-inspiring visiting atmosphere. Whether you're a history enthusiast or a casual tourist, you'll be captivated by the fantasy and charm of the ancient Shu civilization.
What to expect
Visitors will enter the Comprehensive Gallery and the Bronze Gallery in sequence to view a large number of excavated artifacts. The museum provides detailed written explanations and multimedia displays, and some exhibits can be scanned with a QR code for audio guides. On weekends and holidays, the museum tends to be crowded, so it's recommended to visit at off-peak times.
How to visit
It is recommended to arrive in the morning, first visit the Comprehensive Hall, then the Bronze Hall; the entire tour takes about 3-4 hours. You can take Chengdu Metro Line 3 to Shiyou Daxue Station, then transfer to a Guanghan bus or take a taxi; alternatively, take the high-speed rail from Chengdu East Station to Guanghan North Station, then taxi for about 15 minutes.
Pros
The artifacts are unique and awe-inspiring; the exhibition design is modern and immersive; the guided tour services are excellent.
Cons
It is far from downtown Chengdu and takes time to get there; extremely crowded on holidays, which affects the visiting experience.
Highlights
- Bronze Grand Standing Figure: 2.62 meters in height, the tallest and most complete bronze human figure in the world.
- Bronze Sacred Tree: 3.95 meters tall, fantastical in appearance, symbolizing the ancient Shu people's cosmology.
- Vertical-Eye Mask: protruding eyes and a wide mouth, exaggerated in form, leaving an unforgettable impression.
- Golden Scepter: 1.42 meters long, engraved with fish, bird, and human head motifs, symbolizing royal power.
- Jade Zhang with Mountain Sacrifice Scene: intricately carved with sacrificial scenes, a precious resource for studying ancient Shu rituals.
FAQ
Can I take photos in the Sanxingdui Museum?
Photography is allowed in most areas of the museum, but flash and tripods are prohibited. Some special exhibitions may not allow photography, so please pay attention to the signs.
Does the museum offer guide services?
Guided tours and audio guide rentals are available; you can also access free audio guides via the WeChat official account.
Is the Sanxingdui Museum suitable for children?
Yes, it's suitable. The museum's novel and mysterious exhibits can spark children's curiosity, but you need to keep a close eye on them and avoid the crowds.
Field Tips
Best photo spot 1. In front of the Bronze Grand Standing Figure in the Comprehensive Hall: shoot from a low angle for a towering, striking effect. 2. At the Bronze Sacred Tree display case: use the glass reflection to capture mysterious light and shadow. 3. In the protruding-eye mask exhibition area: side lighting makes the mask contours more three-dimensional. 4. The museum building exterior: its unique spiral shape is perfect for architectural line shots.
Best entrance Main entrance (South Gate)
Best exit Main exit (North Gate)
Scores
Location & Nearby
Nearby attractions
- Tianfu Vegetable Fragrance Expo Park Scenic Area (13.5 km)
- Qingbaijiang Phoenix Lake Tourist Scenic Area (14.1 km)
- Quanying Lihua Scenic Area (18.7 km)
- Chengdu Xindu District Baoguang Guihu Cultural Tourism Area (20.2 km)
- Xinfan East Lake Scenic Area (23.9 km)