[2025 Anyang Attraction] Travel Guide for Yinxu Palace & Temple Historic Site (Updated Apr)

🚗 Transportation Guide • Precise Location: Xiaotun Village, Yindu District, Anyang City, Henan Province (approximately 6 km from the city center) • Recommended Routes: Driving: Navigate to "Yin Ruins Palace and Temple Site" (Parking fee: 10 RMB/day) ★ Hidden Tip: Combine your visit with the Yin Ruins Royal Tomb Site (Free shuttle bus available every hour) ⏰ Opening Hours • Peak Season (April–October): 08:00–18:30 (Last entry at 17:30) • Off-Season (November–March): 08:30–17:30 (Last entry at 16:30) • Best Time to Visit: Before 10 AM (Avoid peak hours with tour groups) 💵 Ticket Information • Full Ticket: 70 RMB (Includes Yin Ruins Museum) • Discounted Ticket: Half price for students and seniors over 60 (ID required) 📸 Top 5 Must-See Spots with In-Depth Insights 1. Main Entrance (Image 1) 2. Restored Temple Architecture (Images 2–3) • Historical Highlights: Site Y2: The core location where Shang kings conducted administrative affairs Site Y8: The most well-preserved Shang Dynasty temple foundation • Details to Discover: Observe the pillar holes (1-meter diameter wooden pillars) Look for sacrificial pits on the ground • Best Angles: Capture the dialogue between the thatched roof and modern interpretation signs Photograph the silhouette of the architecture at dusk 3. Oracle Bone Divination Area (Image 4) • World Heritage: The earliest "archive" in existence (160,000 oracle bones unearthed) Decode the original records of King Wu Ding's divination for Lady Hao's childbirth • Photography Tips: Close-up shots of the inscriptions on oracle bones (macro lens recommended) Document the entire divination demonstration process 4. Chariot and Horse Pit Site (Images 5–6) • Archaeological Highlights: The earliest existing chariot and horse artifacts in China (800 years older than the Terracotta Army) Physical evidence of the Shang Dynasty's human sacrifice practices • Stunning Details: Pit No. 6 showcases a complete war chariot and two horse skeletons Observe the bronze decorations on the wheels • Photography Guide: Overhead shots of the chariot and horse layout Focus on the connection between horse bones and the chariot shaft

#discoverchina #anyang Our visit to Yinxu's Imperial Temple Complex，the political and spiritual heart of the Shang Dynasty 3,000 years ago—felt like stepping into the pages of history. This UNESCO World Heritage Site, one of the ancient world's most sophisticated city-states, features 50+ monumental structures divided into grand palaces, ancestral temples, and altars (Groups A, B, C). Among the ruins, we traced the origins of Chinese writing through oracle bones（the world's oldest systematic script), marveled at ceremonial bronze vessels and stood before the replica of the Simuwu Ding,an 875kg bronze colossus symbolizing royal power. The chariot pits here rewrite history: These earliest-known horse-drawn carriages in China (predating even the Zhou Dynasty) prove advanced craftsmanship existed centuries earlier than presumed. But nothing prepared us for Lady Hao's Tomb,the pristine burial of China's first recorded female general, whose military prowess and ritual bronze collection (200+ artifacts!) shattered gender norms. As winds whispered through the same pines that once shaded Shang rituals, we grasped how deeply China's identity—its writing, rituals, and social hierarchy—took root here. Beyond relics, Yinxu excavates an entire slave society's blueprint, where every oracle crack and sacrificial pit whispers of humanity's unbroken thread.

Not sure where to go? Let me give you a recommendation! A 2.5-hour high-speed rail trip to the "Capital of Chinese Characters," the ancient capital of the Shang Dynasty, the birthplace of oracle bone script, and a foodie paradise where you can eat your fill for just ¥20 per person... The key is that it's not crowded, the scenery is beautiful, and I've got a comprehensive guide + tips to avoid pitfalls. Save it now! 👇 --- ❤️ Exploring the Yin Ruins Museum (A Must-See!) Top three treasures: Oracle Bone Inscription Wall, Simuwu Ding, and the Shang Dynasty "Rolls-Royce" Chariot Pit Hidden gems: AR glasses to see the sacrificial scenes come to life (¥50 rental), and create your own oracle bone inscription rubbings. Book tickets in advance through the official WeChat account. --- ❤️ Itinerary & Food Recommendations: ✅ High-speed rail: Beijing West → Anyang East (2.5 hours direct, ¥250 one-way) ✅ Accommodation: Wanda Business District homestay/hotel (approx. ¥150/night per person, taxi to attractions within ¥10). We stayed at the Zhefei Hotel. --- 📍 **DAY 1: Chinese Character Cultural Experience** ✨ Morning: Beijing to Anyang 🚄 8:13 - 10:57 Beijing West to Anyang East Lunch after arrival: Lao Xi Bian Fen Cai! Sweet potato noodles soaked in bone broth + secret chili oil 🌶️, eat your fill for around ¥15 per person. Afternoon: Visit the National Museum of Chinese Writing Highly recommend the interactive area! Write your name in oracle bone script and decipher the secrets of bronzeware. Wear light-colored clothing for photos at the light and shadow character wall for the best atmosphere! Dinner: [Restaurant name missing] 📍 **DAY 2: Journey Through Thousands of Years of Yin-Shang Culture** Yin Ruins Museum Top three treasures: Oracle Bone Inscription Wall, Simuwu Ding (the replica is 100 times more impressive than the one in textbooks!), and the Shang Dynasty "Rolls-Royce" Chariot Pit ⚠️ Warning: Don't go on Mondays! Book tickets in advance through the official WeChat account. Lunch: Oracle bone script noodles inside the Yin Ruins Museum Afternoon: Yin Ruins, Yin Ruins Palace and Temple Site, Yin Ruins Royal Tombs, and the Tomb of Fu Hao Dinner: Bainian Jiafeng Restaurant, roast chicken and blood cake are a must-try. Return to Beijing: 19:17 - 21:35 Anyang East to Beijing West --- 💡 **Practical Tips** Shared electric bikes are super convenient in Anyang. An evening bike ride through the old town is very relaxing. When buying Daokou roast chicken, look for "Yixing Zhang." The ones at the entrance to the scenic area might be fake. Taxis are very convenient and affordable in Anyang. No need to hire a car.

Leaving Handan and heading south to the first stop in Henan Province - Anyang, I have always wanted to explore the site where the Shang Dynasty ruins were discovered, so I decided to stay in Anyang for three days. On the first day, I visited the Yin Ruins Museum in the morning to learn about the history of the Shang Dynasty. After that, I drove to the Yin Ruins Park to see the archaeological remains and the tomb of Fu Hao. In the afternoon, I went to Yuanlin to visit Yuan Shikai's tomb. As it was only 3:30 pm when I left Yuanlin, I drove to Tianning Temple to see the thousand-year-old Wenfeng Pagoda. Parking at the scenic spots is 5 yuan for an unlimited time. On the second day, I drove to Linzhou to visit the Red Flag Canal Scenic Area. I first went to the Red Flag Canal Memorial Hall and the Fen Shui Gate Scenic Area, then drove to the Qingnian Cave Scenic Area, which is 23 kilometers away. There are shuttle buses between the scenic areas. There is a parking lot for self-driving, which costs 5 yuan for an unlimited time. On the third day, I drove to Tangyin, first to visit the Yili City where King Wen of Zhou deduced the Eight Trigrams, and then to visit the Yue Fei Temple, where I paid tribute to the loyal and patriotic general. I didn't go to the China Character Museum, leaving some thoughts and reasons to come again. In the afternoon, I went to the next stop, the capital of the Song Dynasty - Kaifeng.