Jīnshā Site Museum

In 2001 archaeologists made a historic discovery in Chéngdū's western suburbs – they unearthed a major site containing ruins of the 3000-year-old Shu kingdom. The site is now home to the excellent Jīnshā Site Museum.

This expansive complex includes one building showing the excavation site itself and another beautifully displaying many of the objects that were excavated from the area. Like the earlier discoveries at Sānxīngduī, the 6000-plus relics found here, which date from 1200 to 600 BC, include both functional and decorative items, from pottery and tools to jade artefacts, stone carvings and ornate gold masks. There's also a large number of elephant tusks that were unearthed here.

Take bus 82 from near Xīnnánmén bus station, passing Wǔhóu Temple and Green Ram Temple en route. Or take bus 5 from Renmin Zhonglu. The tourist bus 901, from outside Traffic Inn, also runs here. Subway Line 2, once finished, will also go here.