Home of the Sanxingdui archaeological site, one of the most important Bronze Age discoveries in China, with mysterious gold masks and bronze figures dating back 3,000 years.
Deyang, located just 60 kilometers north of Chengdu, is a city that bridges ancient mystery and modern industry. Its global fame rests on the Sanxingdui archaeological site, where a previously unknown Bronze Age civilization was uncovered in 1986, rewriting the history of Chinese civilization.
The Sanxingdui artifacts—gold masks with exaggerated features, a 4-meter bronze sacred tree, and enigmatic bronze heads—represent a culture that flourished 3,000 to 5,000 years ago. The site continues to yield new discoveries, with major finds announced as recently as 2021.
Beyond its archaeological treasures, Deyang is the heart of Sichuan's heavy equipment industry. The Dongfang Electric Corporation, China's largest power equipment manufacturer, calls Deyang home. This combination of ancient mystery and modern industry gives Deyang a unique character.
The city is also known for Mianzhu New Year paintings, a vibrant folk art tradition dating back to the Ming Dynasty. These colorful woodblock prints are celebrated throughout China.
Deyang's most remarkable chapter began in 1929 when a farmer accidentally unearthed jade artifacts in Guanghan. In 1986, major excavations revealed two sacrificial pits containing over 1,000 artifacts from the Sanxingdui culture, which flourished between 1600 and 1046 BC.
The Sanxingdui civilization was contemporaneous with the Shang Dynasty but culturally distinct, suggesting multiple centers of early Chinese civilization. The artifacts show no written language, adding to their mystery.
In the 20th century, Deyang developed as an industrial center. During the Third Front construction period (1964-1980), heavy industries were relocated to Deyang from coastal areas, establishing its manufacturing base.
The city continues to be a center for archaeological research. New discoveries in 2020-2021 at the Sanxingdui site have renewed global interest in this ancient civilization.
Deyang is a major industrial city dominated by heavy machinery manufacturing. The Dongfang Electric Corporation, headquartered here, is China's largest supplier of power generation equipment, including thermal, nuclear, and wind turbines.
The city also has a strong equipment manufacturing sector producing machinery for construction, mining, and chemical industries. Sanxingdui tourism is a growing contributor, attracting millions of visitors annually.
Traditional crafts like Mianzhu New Year paintings and food processing (soy sauce, pressed duck) provide employment in surrounding counties.
Discover the culinary treasures of Deyang, from traditional street food to imperial cuisine.
Chengdu Tianfu International Airport - 80 km (1 hour drive)
30 minutes from Chengdu by high-speed rail
No metro
Spring (April-May) and Autumn (September-October) offer the best weather for most destinations in China.
Discover more cities, food guides, and travel inspiration.
