The bronze tree
Four metres of bronze.
Suicasmo — CC0 · momo — CC BY 2.0 · Suicasmo — CC0 · Yumeto — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Gary Todd from Xinzheng, China — CC0 · Gary Todd — CC0 · Gary Todd — CC0 · Gary Todd — CC0
One of China's great archaeological museums, built at the north-eastern corner of the Sanxingdui ruins near Guanghan to show the treasures of a Bronze Age civilisation that flourished here some three thousand years ago, which scholars link with the ancient kingdom of Shu. Finds began to surface after a first discovery in 1927, until two large pits opened in 1986 revealed bronzes unlike anything known in China: huge masks with protruding eyes and large ears, a bronze tree almost four metres tall with birds perched on its branches, a gold-covered sceptre, jade blades and ivory. Digs between 2020 and 2022 then uncovered six more pits, one of which yielded a gold mask. The museum opened in 1997, and its new building, the largest museum building of its kind in south-west China, opened in July 2023 with more than 1,500 pieces on show. Tickets cost CNY 72, children under 1.3 metres free, and must be booked online in advance by name, up to five days ahead; it is open from 8.30 am to 6 pm with last entry at 5 pm, with longer hours in holiday seasons, per visitor guides.
Four metres of bronze.
From the Shu culture.
Opened in 2023.
Sanxingdui town, west of Guanghan, about 40 km north of Chengdu, Sichuan
By intercity train to Guanghan North in about half an hour, then a short bus or taxi ride, or by the direct tourist buses from Chengdu; the museum takes half a day.
Choices are few by the museum, while Chengdu has many restaurants run by Hui Muslims under the halal sign; spicy Sichuan cooking uses a lot of pork, so ask about ingredients.