The Treasure House of Ancient Shu: Sichuan Museum and the Legacy of the Land of Abundance

The Guardian of Bashu Civilization

1.Located at: No. 251 Huanhua South Road in the Qingyang District of Chengdu, the Sichuan Museum (Sichuan Bowuyuan) stands as the largest comprehensive museum in Southwest China and a premier window into the mysterious and magnificent history of the region. Situated adjacent to the poetic Huanhuaxi Park and near the famous Du Fu Thatched Cottage, the museum occupies a prime cultural location in the city center at an altitude of approximately 500 meters. The current main building, opened in 2009, is an architectural marvel in itself, designed to resemble a fluttering "Golden Sun Bird"—a symbol of ancient Shu civilization—signifying the soaring spirit of Bashu culture. As a National Grade I Museum and a National 4A Tourist Attraction, it houses a staggering collection of over 350,000 artifacts, including nearly a thousand Grade I national treasures, making it an essential destination for anyone seeking to understand the deep roots of the "Land of Abundance".

A Journey Through the Bronze Age of Shu

2.The core allure of the Sichuan: Museum lies in its unparalleled collection of Bashu Bronze Civilization artifacts. Stepping into the exhibition halls, visitors are greeted by the silent yet powerful gaze of ancient bronze figures that seem to transcend time. The collection features exquisite items unearthed from the Sanxingdui and Jinsha sites, such as the mysterious bronze masks with protruding eyes, the majestic bronze standing figures holding sacred staffs, and the intricate "Golden Sun Bird" gold foil. These artifacts reveal a highly developed ancient kingdom that thrived in the Chengdu Plain over 3,000 years ago, possessing a unique religious and political system distinct from, yet parallel to, the Central Plains civilization. The museum showcases the "Golden Age" of the Shu Kingdom, where gold masks, jade congs, and bronze sacred trees paint a picture of a society deeply invested in ritual, sacrifice, and the worship of the sun and nature.

The Art of Han Bricks and Zhang Daqian

Beyond the bronze age, the museum is world-renowned for its collection of Han Dynasty Pictorial Bricks. These stone carvings serve as an encyclopedic visual record of life in the Han Dynasty (206 BC – 220 AD). Visitors can see vivid depictions of salt mining, farming, banquets, carriage travel, and musical performances, providing a lively and detailed look at the prosperity and secular life of ancient Sichuan. Additionally, the museum holds a special treasure: a dedicated gallery for Zhang Daqian, one of the most celebrated Chinese artists of the 20th century. The collection includes his monumental splashed-ink landscapes and his meticulous copies of Dunhuang murals, reflecting his deep connection to his Sichuan homeland and his artistic genius.

A Melting Pot of Ethnic Cultures

Sichuan has long been a corridor for ethnic migration and cultural exchange, and the museum's Ethnic Cultural Relics exhibition beautifully illustrates this diversity. The halls display a vibrant array of costumes, silver ornaments, and religious artifacts from the Tibetan, Qiang, Yi, and Miao peoples. Highlights include ancient Thangkas that have retained their brilliant colors for centuries, intricate silver headdresses, and sacred Buddhist statues. The Tibetan Buddhist collection is particularly significant, featuring rare items like the expansive collection of artifacts that showcase the profound influence of Buddhism in the region. Whether exploring the spiritual depth of the Wanfo Temple stone carvings or admiring the craftsmanship of ethnic embroidery, visitors to the Sichuan Museum are treated to a comprehensive narrative that weaves together the threads of history, art, and anthropology into a rich tapestry of the Southwest.