Sanxing

Emerging from the mists of time, Sanxing in Chengdu whispers tales of an ancient Shu Kingdom. Sanxing, meaning “Three-Star Piles”, refers to the three earth mounds that mark this significant site. These mounds, once thought to be gifts from a celestial emperor, are now known to be remnants of a collapsed and eroded city wall. Sanxing isn’t just about the mounds though. It represents the heart of ancient Shu culture, sprawling over 12 square kilometers. Imagine a city teeming with life thousands of years ago, a civilization rivaling even the Central Plain in its advancements. The discovery of Sanxing challenged the notion of Shu as an isolated region, revealing its rich, interconnected history. Sanxing held secrets buried for centuries, unearthed only in the 20th century. The Sanxingdui Museum, built to protect these treasures, displays over 1000 artifacts from the Shang Period. These include gold plates, intricate bronze ware, delicate jade articles, simple pottery, and even ivory. These artifacts are displayed across four sections, each with a unique focus: “Splendor of Ancient Shu Culture”, “Mystery of the Primitive Faith”, “Exquisite Cultural Artifacts”, and “Three-Star Piles Excavation and Study”. A new exhibition hall added in 2004 focuses on jade, gold, and pottery, complementing the bronze collection in the original building. Sanxing’s story continues to unfold, with recent discoveries pushing the boundaries of our understanding. Researchers found evidence of welding techniques on bronze artifacts, predating known welding history by a staggering 2000 years. This advanced craftsmanship, possibly linked to the use of phosphorus, leaves us wondering about the ingenuity of the ancient Shu people. Sanxing in Chengdu invites you to explore the mysteries of a forgotten kingdom, where earth mounds and ancient artifacts whisper stories of a vibrant past. Here, at Sanxing, the ancient Shu people’s spiritual homeland comes alive. It’s a place where the modern world meets the ancient, a testament to the enduring legacy of Chinese civilization.