Archaeological Ruins of Liangzhu City
良渚古城遗址公园
A World Heritage site that provides evidence of China's five-thousand-year civilization, with Neolithic city walls, water dams and jade cong. The archaeological park and Liangzhu Museum can be seen in a single day.
The Archaeological Ruins of Liangzhu City lie in Pingyao Town, Yuhang District. They date from roughly 5300 to 4300 years ago and were the center of the Liangzhu culture. Inscribed as a World Heritage site in 2019, the ruins are described as the 'sacred site that proves the five-thousand-year history of Chinese civilization'. The site includes a city area of about 3 square kilometers, with the palace district of Mojiao Mountain, the royal tombs at Fanshan, and inner and outer city walls. Eleven surrounding dams form a water control system, one of the earliest flood-control dam systems in the world. Large numbers of jade objects have been excavated here. The archaeological park is very large, and most remains are presented through green markers and reconstructions such as earthen platforms, rice paddies and dams, so some imagination is needed. It is recommended to visit the Liangzhu Museum first. It is located in the Liangzhu Culture Village, is free but requires a reservation, and is closed on Mondays. Designed by British architect David Chipperfield, the museum's highlights are the King of Jade Cong, the King of Jade Axes and the Deity Beast Face motif. The explanations are clear. Then continue to the archaeological park. Park tickets cost 60 yuan (including a sightseeing shuttle) and can be booked through the official 'Liangzhu Ancient City Ruins Park' WeChat account. Electric buses inside the park link stops including the South City Wall, the Mojiao Mountain palace district, the Fanshan royal tombs and the Laohuling dams. Bicycles can also be rented. Suggested order: the museum (1.5 hours), then the archaeological park (2.5 hours), for about half a day in total. Nearby, the Big Roof (Xiaoshu Library) and the Church of Beautiful Island by Tadao Ando are popular spots for art and photography and can be visited on the way. Getting there: take Metro Line 2 to Liangzhu Station and transfer to a bus or shuttle to the museum (about 15 minutes). The park also has tourist shuttles from Liangzhu Station. From downtown, driving takes about 40 minutes. Wear sunscreen in summer.
Opening hours
Archaeological park 09:00–17:00 (last entry 16:00); Liangzhu Museum 09:00–16:30, closed Mon
Nearby sights
- China National Archives of Publications and Culture (Hangzhou)
- Liangzhu Museum
- Xixi National Wetland Park
- Grand Canal & Gongchen Bridge
- Tianmuli Art Park
- Xiaohe Street Historic Block
- China Grand Canal Museum
- Beigaofeng Peak