Yinxu

Welcome to Yinxu, the 'Ruins of Yin,' a UNESCO World Heritage site and the archaeological heart of ancient China. Located near the modern city of Anyang in Henan Province, this was the last capital of the Shang Dynasty, thriving…

Your tour begins in the Palace and Ancestral Temples area, the political and spiritual center of Yin. Although the wooden structures are long gone, archaeologists have unearthed the massive rammed-earth foundations, some over…

Perhaps the most significant discovery at Yinxu is the Oracle Bone pits. In 1899, scholars noticed strange markings on 'dragon bones' sold in traditional pharmacies, leading them to this very site. …

One of the most thrilling sites at Yinxu is the tomb of Fu Hao, discovered intact in 1976. Fu Hao was not just a queen; she was a wife of King Wu Ding, a priestess, and a powerful military general who led armies of 13,000 men. …

Nearby, you will find the Chariot Pits, which showcase the military technology that allowed the Shang to dominate their neighbors. These pits contain the remains of horse-drawn chariots, along with the skeletons of the horses and…

The Yinxu Museum houses some of the most impressive bronze work in human history. During the Shang Dynasty, bronze casting reached a level of detail and complexity that is still admired today. …

A short shuttle ride takes you to the Royal Tombs district at Xibeigang. This is where the Shang kings were laid to rest in massive, cross-shaped pits. …

As we conclude our journey through Yinxu, take a moment to look at the characters on the signs around you. Every stroke of the modern Chinese script you see today can be traced back to the Oracle Bones found right here. …