Yin Ruins Scenic Area is located in Xiaotun Village, Yindu District, Anyang City, Henan Province, spanning both north and south banks of the Huan River. As the capital site of the late Shang Dynasty in China, it is one of the first batch of national key cultural relics protection units, a national 5A-level tourist attraction, and a World Cultural Heritage. The scenic area covers about 24 square kilometers, consisting of the Yin Ruins Royal Mausoleum Site, Yin Ruins Palace and Ancestral Temple Site, and Huanbei Shang City Site. Featuring rich cultural relics such as oracle bone inscriptions, bronze wares, and capital ruins, it centrally showcases the splendid civilization of the Yin and Shang periods, serving as an important base for the study of ancient Chinese civilization.
History and Culture
The Yin Ruins are the first capital site in Chinese history documented in literature and confirmed by archaeology and oracle bone inscriptions. Around 1300 BC, King Pan Geng of the Shang Dynasty moved the capital to Yin (now Anyang). Thereafter, the Shang Dynasty passed down 12 kings over 8 generations here, lasting 255 years and becoming the political, economic, and cultural center of China at that time.
Since the discovery of oracle bone inscriptions in the late Qing Dynasty, approximately 150,000 pieces of oracle bone inscriptions with characters have been unearthed from the Yin Ruins. The recorded contents involve politics, economy, military affairs, culture, astronomy, calendar, and many other aspects, serving as precious materials for studying the Shang Dynasty society. In addition, a large number of exquisite bronze wares have been unearthed from the Yin Ruins, such as the world-famous Simuwu Ding (now known as "Houmuwu Ding"), weighing 832.84 kilograms, which is the largest and heaviest bronze ritual vessel unearthed in the world so far.
After the founding of the People's Republic of China, archaeological excavations and protection work at the Yin Ruins have continued. In 1961, the Yin Ruins were listed as one of the first batch of national key cultural relics protection units; in July 2006, the Yin Ruins were inscribed on the World Heritage List by UNESCO, becoming a cultural treasure of all mankind.
Main Attractions
Yin Ruins Palace and Ancestral Temple Site
Located on the south bank of the Huan River, it was the place where Shang kings handled government affairs and lived, and is also the core area of the Yin Ruins, covering about 71.5 hectares. More than 80 palace building foundations have been discovered in the site, which can be divided into different types such as palaces and ancestral temples according to their functions. Among them, the Yizu Foundations are large in scale and may have been the palace area of Shang kings. In addition, the Yin Ruins Museum is built here, with a collection of more than 4,000 cultural relics, systematically displaying Yin and Shang culture.
Yin Ruins Royal Mausoleum Site
Located in the north of Wuguan Village on the north bank of the Huan River, facing the Palace and Ancestral Temple Site across the river, the total area is about 11.3 hectares. A total of 13 large tombs and more than 2,500 sacrificial pits have been discovered here, making it the earliest and most complete royal mausoleum complex known in China so far. The "Houmuwu Ding" unearthed from the Wuguan Village Great Tomb is an outstanding representative of Shang Dynasty bronze wares, demonstrating the superb bronze casting technology at that time.
Oracle Bone Inscription Forest
Located within the Yin Ruins Palace and Ancestral Temple Site, nearly 40 stone tablets are displayed here, engraved with representative characters selected from oracle bone inscriptions. These stone tablets display the evolution and characteristics of oracle bone inscriptions in the form of calligraphy art, serving as an important window for visitors to understand oracle bone inscription culture.
Fu Hao's Tomb
Located in the southwest of the Palace and Ancestral Temple Site, it is the only well-preserved tomb of a Shang Dynasty royal family member in the Yin Ruins. The tomb owner Fu Hao was the spouse of King Wu Ding of the Shang Dynasty and the first female military commander documented in Chinese history. A total of 1,928 burial objects were unearthed from this tomb, including 468 bronze wares and 755 jade articles. The large number and exquisite craftsmanship of the cultural relics are rare in the excavation history of the Yin Ruins.
Food
Anyang Three Smoked Dishes
A traditional famous dish in Anyang, composed of smoked chicken, smoked eggs, and smoked pork offal. Using a unique smoking process, the ingredients have a shiny color, rich aroma, mellow taste, and unique flavor. The per capita consumption is about 30-50 yuan, which can be tasted in local time-honored restaurants in Anyang.
Fenjiang Rice
A special snack in Anyang, made from fermented mung bean paste, cooked with ingredients such as millet, soybeans, cabbage, and peanuts. It has a sweet and sour taste, appetizing and digestive effects, and is one of the favorite breakfasts of locals, priced at about 5-8 yuan per bowl.
Daokou Braised Chicken
A traditional famous dish in Daokou Town, Huaxian County, Anyang, with a history of more than 300 years. Locally free-range firewood chickens are selected, paired with a variety of precious Chinese medicines, and carefully made through sixteen processes. The braised chicken has a beautiful shape, bright color, fresh and tender meat, rich aroma, and the whole chicken is tender and falls off the bone, making it a must-try food for tourists, priced at about 60-100 yuan per chicken.
Neihuang Enema
A special flavor snack in Neihuang County, made from pig blood and pig intestines as the main raw materials, added with sweet potato starch, sesame oil, five-spice powder, and other seasonings. When eating, it is cut into thin slices and served with condiments such as garlic sauce and chili. It has a smooth taste and unique aroma, priced at about 15-20 yuan per plate.
Tickets
The ticket price for the Yin Ruins Scenic Area is 70 yuan per person.
You can search for the official WeChat public account "殷墟景区" on WeChat to get the latest updates or purchase tickets online.
Opening Hours
The scenic area is open throughout the year, with opening hours from 8:00 to 18:00 (April 1 - October 31); from 8:00 to 17:30 (November 1 - March 31 of the following year). Ticket sales and entry stop 1 hour before the scenic area closes.
Tour Routes
Recommended one-day tour route: After arriving at the scenic area in the morning, first visit the Yin Ruins Palace and Ancestral Temple Site, tour the Yin Ruins Museum, and understand the overall context of Yin and Shang culture, about 1.5 hours; then go to Fu Hao's Tomb to appreciate the exquisite unearthed cultural relics, about 1 hour; after resting and dining in the site, go to the Oracle Bone Inscription Forest in the afternoon to feel the unique charm of oracle bone inscriptions, about 1 hour; finally, take a car to the Yin Ruins Royal Mausoleum Site on the north bank of the Huan River, visit the great tombs and sacrificial pits, and understand the royal mausoleum culture of the Shang Dynasty, about 2 hours.
Transportation
- Public bus: Take buses No. 1, 18, 39, Y1, etc., in Anyang City, get off at the "Yin Ruins Museum" station, and walk to the scenic area.
- Self-driving: Starting from Anyang Railway Station, drive along Wenming Avenue and Zhongzhou Road, the whole journey is about 7 kilometers, and the driving time is about 20 minutes; starting from Anyang East Station, pass through sections such as Guangming Road and Wenfeng Avenue, the whole journey is about 15 kilometers, and the driving time is about 30 minutes. The scenic area has a parking lot, and the parking fee for small vehicles is about 5-10 yuan per day.
Must-Visit Attractions
- Yin Ruins Palace and Ancestral Temple Site: The core area of the Yin Ruins, with more than 80 building foundations showing the urban layout of the Shang Dynasty. The Yin Ruins Museum has a rich collection. It is recommended to spend 3-4 hours visiting.
- Yin Ruins Royal Mausoleum Site: The earliest royal mausoleum complex in China, with 13 large tombs and more than 2,500 sacrificial pits witnessing the funeral culture of the Shang Dynasty. It is the excavation site of the Houmuwu Ding. It is recommended to spend 2-3 hours visiting.
- Fu Hao's Tomb: The only well-preserved tomb of Shang Dynasty royal family members, with 1,928 precious cultural relics unearthed, showing the status of women and craftsmanship level in the Shang Dynasty. It is recommended to spend 1-2 hours visiting.
Tour Tips
- It is recommended to make an appointment for tickets in advance through the official public account or website of the scenic area to avoid queuing.
- The scenic area is rich in historical and cultural connotations. You can rent an electronic interpreter (rental fee about 20 yuan) or hire a guide (fee about 100-150 yuan per time) to deeply understand Yin and Shang culture.
- Pay attention to sun protection measures in summer and keep warm in winter; the site area is large, and it is recommended to wear comfortable sports shoes.
- If you are interested in oracle bone inscriptions, you can learn the basic knowledge of oracle bone inscriptions in advance or carry relevant books for comparative study.
Notes
- Some ruins and cultural relics in the scenic area are fragile. Please do not touch, climb, or carve, and consciously observe the visiting order.
- The Yin Ruins Royal Mausoleum Site and the Palace and Ancestral Temple Site are located on both banks of the Huan River. For round trips, you can take the scenic area shuttle bus (fees charged separately) or drive by yourself.
- Please do not smoke or litter in the scenic area to jointly maintain the site environment.
- Follow the guidance of staff during the visit and contact the scenic area service personnel in a timely manner in case of emergencies.