Sanxingdui Museum「三星堆博物馆」

Review

Today I made a special trip from Chengdu to Guanghan to see Sanxingdui.

I originally thought it would just be a quick museum visit, maybe two or three hours, but once inside it was much more impressive than I expected, and I ended up spending almost half a day there.

There were indeed quite a lot of people inside, especially in front of popular exhibits like the Bronze Sacred Tree, the Large Standing Figure, and the Gold Mask—basically you had to queue a bit. If you want to take a close look at the details, I’d suggest coming early; otherwise it gets even more crowded in the afternoon.

What impressed me most were the Bronze Sacred Tree and the Large Standing Figure. In photos they already look very distinctive, but seeing their size and details in person is even more astonishing. The patterns, the figures, and the whole structure—it’s hard to imagine these were made thousands of years ago.

There were also some exhibits that I didn’t quite understand at first glance, but I couldn’t help staring at them for a few more minutes. Sanxingdui is very different from the ancient artifacts we’re usually familiar with, and the sense of mystery is really strong. As I walked around, I kept wondering how people back then designed and cast these things.

However, the lighting inside is relatively dim, and the glass reflections are quite noticeable, so taking photos wasn’t as easy as I thought. To get better shots, it’s best to hold your phone close to the glass and avoid the overhead lights and crowds.

Overall, Sanxingdui isn’t a place where you just breeze through, snap a few photos, and leave. Those with little interest in history and artifacts might find it a bit tiring, but as long as you have even a little curiosity about ancient civilizations, it’s well worth making a special trip here.

I’d recommend setting aside 3 to 4 hours and wearing comfortable shoes. The museum can get crowded and the air conditioning is quite strong, so bring a light jacket.

Personal experience: It’s worth visiting. The real objects are far more impressive than photos online. Standing in front of these artifacts, for the first time I felt: maybe our understanding of ancient civilizations is still just the tip of the iceberg. Do you think Sanxingdui really is a human civilization?

Visit details

• Address: No. 133 Xiangxin Road（向新路133号）
• Rating: 5 / 5
• Average spend: ¥72 per person
• Published: August 3, 2026
• Original record: View this review on Dianping

Photos