How to Get from Chengdu to Sanxingdui Museum by Public Transport (2026)

Quick Answer

Take a high-speed train from Chengdu East Station (成都东站) to Guanghan North Station (广汉北站) — 18–30 minutes, ¥18–26 in second class. From Guanghan North, a taxi or DiDi to the museum takes about 15–20 minutes (¥25–35), or you can take local bus 13 (¥2, ~30 min). Total one-way travel time is roughly 50–70 minutes. This is the fastest and most reliable option. There is no direct metro to Sanxingdui.

The Sanxingdui Museum (三星堆博物馆) is located in Guanghan City (广汉市), Deyang Prefecture, about 40–60 km north of Chengdu. It houses the sensational bronze masks, sacred trees, and gold artifacts of the ancient Shu civilization (c. 2800–1100 BCE), a culture contemporary with the Shang Dynasty but artistically distinct. The new museum building opened in 2023 and has dramatically increased visitor numbers.

Compare Your Options

Option 1 — High-Speed Train + Taxi (Recommended)

Step-by-step

1. Get to Chengdu East Station (成都东站). Take Chengdu Metro Line 2 or Line 7 to Chengdu East Railway Station. Some trains also depart from Chengdu South (成都南站).

2. Buy a ticket to Guanghan North Station (广汉北站). This is on the Chengdu–Mianyang–Leshan intercity line and the Xi'an–Chengdu high-speed line.

   • Travel time: 18–30 minutes
   • Fare: ¥18–26 in second class
   • Frequency: 10–20 departures per day, roughly every 30–60 minutes
   • First train: Around 07:00–07:30
   • Last train from Guanghan North back to Chengdu: Around 21:00–21:30
   • Book on 12306.cn or the app up to 15 days ahead, or buy at the station with your passport. Weekend trains can sell out.

   [!TIP] Search for "广汉北" (Guanghanbei) — not just "广汉." Guanghan North is the high-speed rail station. An older conventional station may also appear in search results but is less convenient.

3. From Guanghan North Station to the museum.

   • By taxi / DiDi (recommended): The museum is about 8–10 km from the station. A metered taxi or DiDi costs roughly ¥25–35 and takes 15–20 minutes. Use the official taxi rank or the DiDi app. The official Sanxingdui Museum WeChat account estimates about 20 minutes by taxi.
   • By bus: Local bus 13 connects Guanghan North Station directly to Sanxingdui Museum. Fare is ¥2. Operating hours are approximately 07:00–18:30 in summer and 07:30–18:00 in winter (times may adjust — check locally). The bus takes about 30 minutes depending on traffic.
   • Ignore private drivers approaching you at the station exit offering "cheap" rides — use the official taxi rank or DiDi.

4. Arrive at the museum. The main entrance is at 133 Xiangxin Road (西安路133号), Nanxing Town, Guanghan. There is a large visitor center with ticket collection, bag storage (free), restrooms, and a café.

Museum essentials

• Admission: ¥72 per adult
• Opening hours: 08:30–18:00 (last entry 17:00); extended to 20:00 on weekends, holidays, and summer vacation (July–August) with evening tickets starting at 17:00
• Closed: One day per year on Chinese New Year's Eve (除夕); otherwise open year-round (except temporary closures)
• Time needed: 3–4 hours minimum; enthusiasts can spend 5–6 hours
• Tickets must be booked in advance via the official Sanxingdui Museum website or WeChat mini-program (search "三星堆博物馆"). Tickets are released at 20:00 daily for visits up to 5 days ahead. Foreign passports are accepted; bring your physical passport for entry.
• Free audio guides are available via a WeChat mini-program; paid human guides (¥80 Chinese / ¥120 foreign language) can be booked at the ticket desk.

Option 2 — High-Speed Train + Bus 13 (Cheapest)

Follow steps 1–2 above, then take bus 13 from outside Guanghan North Station:

• Fare: ¥2 (exact change or Alipay/WeChat QR)
• Journey time: About 30 minutes
• Operating hours: Roughly 07:00–18:30 (summer); verify locally as schedules change
• The bus drops you near the museum entrance.

Total one-way cost: as little as ¥20 (¥18 train + ¥2 bus).

Option 3 — Coach Bus from Chengdu

If train tickets are sold out, long-distance buses provide a backup:

From Zhaojuesi Bus Station (昭觉寺汽车站)

• Route: Zhaojuesi → Guanghan Bus Station (广汉客运中心)
• Fare: Around ¥14–16
• Duration: 40–60 minutes
• Frequency: Every 15–30 minutes from around 07:00 to 18:00–18:30
• Transfer: From Guanghan Bus Station, take local bus 6 to Sanxingdui Museum (fare ¥1.5–2, about 20 minutes). Buses run roughly 07:00–18:00.
• Zhaojuesi location: Near Zhaojuesi Temple, accessible by Chengdu Metro Line 3 (Zhaojuesi South Road station).

From Chadianzi Bus Station (茶店子客运站)

• Some direct buses to the Sanxingdui area may be available, with fares around ¥20–30 and journey times of 1–1.5 hours. However, schedules are less consistent than trains — verify at the station.

Scenic-area direct shuttle (景区直通车)

The "成都景区直通车" (Chengdu Scenic Direct Shuttle) WeChat service runs direct buses from central Chengdu locations (including Xinnanmen and Chunxi Road area) to Sanxingdui. Tickets can be bought through their WeChat mini-program. This is convenient but departure times are limited and the service may be suspended in low season. Check availability when planning.

How to Get Back

• By train: Trains from Guanghan North to Chengdu East run until approximately 21:00–21:30. The journey takes 18–30 minutes. Buy your return ticket in the morning when you arrive, or book it online in advance — afternoon/evening trains can fill up on weekends.
• From the museum to Guanghan North: A taxi takes 15–20 minutes (¥25–35); bus 13 takes about 30 minutes. Allow 45–60 minutes from museum exit to train platform.
• By bus: The last bus from Guanghan Bus Station back to Chengdu Zhaojuesi departs around 18:20. If taking the bus, plan to leave the museum by 17:00–17:30.
• If you miss all train and bus options, a DiDi back to central Chengdu costs approximately ¥150–200.

Chinese Names You May Need

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Booking to the wrong Guanghan station. Search for "广汉北" (Guanghan North, high-speed rail). The older conventional station is less convenient for the museum.

2. Not pre-booking museum tickets. Sanxingdui uses real-name timed entry and daily visitor caps. Tickets are released at 20:00 for the next 5 days. During holidays, weekends, and summer vacation, tickets can sell out days in advance. Do not travel to Guanghan without a confirmed museum reservation.

3. Arriving without your passport. Both the train and the museum require physical ID. Foreigners must present their passport at the museum entrance — a digital copy or driver's license will not be accepted.

4. Trusting touts at Guanghan North. Private drivers may approach you at the station exit claiming taxis are unavailable or the bus has stopped running. Use the official taxi rank, DiDi, or bus 13.

5. Underestimating visit time. The museum has two large exhibition halls plus outdoor ruins. Many visitors spend 4–5 hours. If you plan to return to Chengdu the same evening, don't arrive after 14:00 — you will rush through the highlights.

6. Confusing the new and old museum sections. The new museum building (opened 2023) is the main visitor experience with the latest finds from Pits 3–8. The older buildings may have limited or rotating exhibitions. Follow signs for the "新馆" (new hall).

Before You Go

• Admission: ¥72 per adult; student/child/senior discounts available with ID
• Opening hours: 08:30–18:00 (last entry 17:00); extended to 20:00 on holidays and summer
• Recommended visit duration: 3–5 hours
• Book tickets via the official Sanxingdui WeChat mini-program or website; Trip.com also sells tickets in English with a small markup.
• Free bag storage is available at the visitor center.
• There is currently no Crowd Forecast for Sanxingdui on China Local Help.

Still Not Sure How to Get There?

Our Chengdu-based team can help with train tickets, museum reservations, and private day-trip arrangements including transport and a guide. Contact us or message us on WhatsApp.

Related Guides

• Chengdu Travel Guide — full city guide
• Chengdu to Dujiangyan by Train — another easy Chengdu day trip
• Chengdu to Qingcheng Mountain by Train — combine history with nature
• 12306 High-Speed Rail Guide — booking Chinese train tickets as a foreigner

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Train schedules and fares are based on 12306.cn, Ctrip/Trip.com listings, the official Sanxingdui Museum website (sxd.cn), and Chengdu Bendibao (updated August 2026). Times and fares may change — always check 12306 and the museum's official WeChat account for your travel date.

Last verified: August 2026