a Yin Xu, China World Heritage Site
Oracle bone pit, AnyangOracle bone pit in Anyang. These are mostly turtle bones used for divination during the late Shang Dynasty
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Oracle_bones_pit.JPG
Author: Chez Casver
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Yin Xu is an archaeological site near Anyang City in Henan Province, China. It is the site of an ancient capital city of the late Shang Dynasty, which flourished from 1300 BC to 1046 BC. The site has yielded ruins of ancient royal tombs and palaces.

The architectural style at Yin Xu seems to be an early prototype for later Chinese architectural styles. Among the sites escavated included the Palace and Royal Ancestral Shrines. Within that site, the foundations of 80 residences were uncovered, as well as the sole tomb in that site, that of a royal member.

The Yin Xu Archaeological Site was inscribed as a World Heritage Site during the 30th session of the World Heritage Committee meeting in Vilnius, Lithuania from 8 to 16 July, 2006. The core zone of the inscribed site covers an area of 414 hectares surrounded by a buffer zone of 720 hectares.

Houmuwu DingHoumuwu Ding, a wine vessel that is the heaviest bronze artifact to be discovered in China. It dates from the late Shang Dynasty (C. 1300-1046 BC)
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:HouMuWuDingFullView.jpg
Author: Mlogic
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World Heritage Site Inscription Details

Location: N 36 07 36 E 114 18 50 in Henan Province, China
Inscription Year: 2006
Type of Site: Cultural
Inscription Criteria: II, III, IV, VI

Visiting Yin Xu

Yin Xu is located near Anyang. Anyang is 460 km to the south of Beijing, and can be reached by bus or train. Arrange with a local travel agent in Anyang for visiting Yin Xu.

List of World Heritage Sites in China

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