Sanxingdui sits 40 km north of Chengdu in Guanghan and is one of the most important archaeological discoveries of the 20th century. Excavated 1986 onwards, the site has yielded 10,000+ artifacts from a previously-unknown Bronze Age civilization (~1200-1100 BCE) — including the famous large bronze head sculptures with protruding eyes that look uncanny-valley alien. New 2023 hall (馆三号馆) opened for the 2020-2022 fresh excavation finds including the 8-pronged bronze altar. Entry 72 RMB. Allow 4 hours minimum + 1 hour each way travel. From Chengdu Bei Railway Station, high-speed train to Guanghan North (15 min) + taxi (20 min, ¥30). Combine with Jinsha museum on consecutive days for the full Shu civilization narrative.

Address

133 Xi'an Rd, Guanghan, Sichuan

广汉市西安路 133 号

Highlights

Bronze Mask (青铜面具)The alien-looking icon; 1.4m wide bronze head
Bronze Sacred Tree3.95m tall; Shu cosmological diagram
2023 New HallFresh 2020-2022 dig finds; the 8-pronged altar

For foreign visitors

English service: english tour
Cards accepted: visa, master
Booking / entry: required
Best time: Weekday morning; arrive 9 AM opening
Wi-Fi: free
Transit access: need taxi

Photos

Made by Elijah Meeks using Globe DEM data

Bronze Heads With Gold Masks. Sanxingdui Museum.
These faces are much alike, although their heads are shaped differently. Schematic and abstract, they seem huma

"This standing figure is obviously the Most Important Person, therefore it stands to reason that he represents a 'high priest' or leader of religious practice.

What travelers say (5 reviews)

ArchFan·TripAdvisor·5/5

3000-year-old Shu civilization that rewrote Chinese history. The alien-looking bronze masks are otherworldly. New 2023 hall opened with 2020-2022 finds.

2026-04-08

三星堆迷·Xiaohongshu·5/5

广汉三星堆比成都金沙更震撼！青铜面具+1.4米巨型青铜头像。新馆2023开放，建议提前预约。¥72门票。

2026-03-26

BronzeAge·Google Maps·5/5

40 km from Chengdu via high-speed rail. 4+ hours minimum. The 1.4m bronze head with protruding eyes is the must-see. English audio guides good.

2026-04-30

BronzeAgeDocs·YouTube·5/5

One of the 20th century's biggest archaeological discoveries. Pre-Shang Bronze Age culture in southwest China. Mysterious, brilliant.

2026-02-22

Yan H.·Ctrip·5/5

高铁成都北→广汉北15分钟¥18，再打车20分钟¥30。预约+护照入园。建议工作日早上去。