Address: Guanghan, 40km (25 miles) north of Chengdu
Traveler ReviewsBest museum in Sichuan
Reviewed by A TripAdvisor Member on Jul 10, 2008
This museum houses an impressive display of artifacts from Sichuan's Bronze Age (ca. 1300-300 BC), most excavated from the Sanxingdui site itself. The material is striking for its radical difference from other Bronze Age cultures found in the region we now call China. The word "mystery", far too often applied regarding things ancient, is appropriate here. The buildings are well maintained and the grounds beautiful as well.
The only down side is its distance from the city center. To get there on a budget, take a bus from Chengdu's Zhaojuesi bus station to Guanghan. At Guanghan's bus station, transfer to a minibus to Sanxingdui, the total trip is about an hour and a half, so a visit will take the most of a day. If money is not a problem, you might arrange transportation through your hotel.
If you have the time, do not be tricked into visiting the considerably less impressive, but much hyped collection at the Jinsha museum. Their best items are borrowed from Sanxingdui.
Chengdu's new museum, not to be missed!
Reviewed by A TripAdvisor Member on Feb 21, 2008
Jinsha Relicsite Museum, opened less than a year ago, is related to, and less well known than Sanxing Dui Museum. But it is likely to become just as important a tourist site for culture and history lovers. Although located inside a major city, the carefully-preserved relic site is situated in a park-like setting . The museum complex is made up of several well-designed, state-of-the-art exhibit halls. Admission is 60 RMB. The 4-D show, starting every 30 minutes and charging 20 RMB, is quite fun and a nice way to enjoy a short rest. Also worth visiting is the museum gift-shop, which is well-stocked with tastefully chosen items. The museum's own DVD, with English subtitles, is a good buy at 30 RMB. Finally, the museum is easily reached by taxi from the centre of Chengdu. (The trip takes 15-20 minutes and should cost around 20 RMB).
Mystery, mystery, mystery!
Reviewed by A TripAdvisor Member on May 6, 2006It is very sad to see while so many people look forward to seeing giant pandas in Chengdu, so few people know about Sanxingdui Museum. The museum was built on the excavation site. It was about 16 Century B.C. Same period as Egyptian Civilization. The bronze masks look very sophisticated but at the same time so strange. (You should find out how starange they are for yourselves.) The reason why the museum is not so popular may be because it has been recently built and many guidebooks have not updated information. To be honest, I can not think of any other reasons. It is a must-see in Chengdu second only to giant pandas. I guarantee.
