20 of the Most Important Archaeological Discoveries in China

Probably one of the most famous discoveries, this immense clay army was found in the tomb of Qin Shi Huang, the first emperor of China. Qin died around 210 B.C., and with him went more than 8,000 soldiers, 130 chariots, 520 horses, and 150 cavalry horses. This colossal project took more than 30 years to complete and involved more than 700,000 workers. 

This archaeological site was discovered in 1986 in what is now the city of Guanghan. It bears witness to a large-scale culture dating from the Bronze Age, around the 12th and 11th centuries BCE. It is likely that this particular region was associated with the ancient kingdom of Shu before the Qin conquest in the 300s BCE.

Located in the Changsha region, this 2nd-century site contains the remains of Chancellor Li Cang, his wife Xin Zhui, and another man. All three lived during the Western Han Dynasty, and their tombs feature magnificent decorative motifs adorned with lacquered pieces. 

Also known as the Thousand Buddha Caves, this elaborate cave complex contains more than 500 temples dating from the 4th century CE. It is a popular tourist destination and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987. 

We don’t know exactly who this man was, but he must have been someone important. This tomb, discovered in the Chinese province of Anhui, is believed to be the largest ever found in this region. It was likely built for a Chu ruler during the Warring States period. 

This Neolithic civilization is located in what is now Hubei Province and tells the story of the progress of early human civilization. According to researchers, this ancient group existed between 3400 and 2500 BCE. The site contains evidence of large-scale settlements, advanced agricultural practices, and craftsmanship. 

Located just 50 km southwest of Beijing, this fossil sheds light on another human species that lived during the Middle Pleistocene, between 130,000 and 80,000 years ago. Peking Man belonged to the Homo erectus subgroup, as confirmed by his pronounced zygomatic crest.

Built between 1584 and 1590, this mausoleum is the final resting place of Emperor Wanli and his two empresses, Wang Xijie and Xiaojing. Emperor Wanli was the 13th emperor of the Ming Dynasty. 

Located in the Shaanxi region, the history of this Buddhist temple dates back to the early centuries of our era, during the Han Dynasty. The temple stood for many years and even underwent reconstruction in the 6th, 7th, 14th, and 17th centuries. It was completely rebuilt in 1987 and is now a major tourist attraction.

King Wu of Zhou founded this city in the mid-11th century BCE, and it remains an important part of the city of Luoyang to this day. It covers nearly 200 hectares and contains works of art and pottery associated with the Erligang culture. It is often considered the first capital of the Shang Dynasty.

This discovery contains the bodies of Yu Hong and his wife. Yu was a government official and a prominent figure along the Silk Road, so it is not surprising that his tomb is richly decorated with porcelain, marble, and elaborate epitaphic covers. To date, this tomb is the only archaeological find in the Central Plains region that has a connection to Central Asian culture. 

This cultural site contains historical evidence dating back to the early Bronze Age, around 1600 BCE. Since the 1970s, researchers have uncovered more than 120 inscriptions, pottery shards, bronze vessels, and 39 drawings. 

Located in Jiangxi Province, this archaeological site has been crucial to our understanding of rice cultivation in early civilizations. Carbon dating estimates that the pottery discovered at this site dates back 20,000 years. 

These twin cities were the capitals of the Western Zhou dynasty, which lasted from 1046 to 771 BCE. The inhabitants abandoned the cities in 771 BCE following a particularly violent invasion by the Quanrong. The ruins are located in what is now the Shaanxi region. 

Located in Hebei Province, this site contains some of the oldest Paleolithic remains ever discovered in East Asia. It was first discovered in 1923, and researchers have found stone and flint tools there dating back 1.36 million years. Yes, a million. 

Built during the 5th century BCE, this tomb contains the remains of Marquis Yi of Zeng, also known as “Duke Yi.” Although we do not have much information about him, his lavish tomb clearly indicates that he was an important figure.

This magnificent tourist attraction was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000, and for good reason. This 331-hectare protected area encompasses nearly 2,350 caves and tens of thousands of works of Chinese Buddhist art. It is likely that these statues began to appear in 493 A.D.

This geographical area contains approximately 250 tombs of prominent figures from the Western Xia Dynasty. It covers an area of about 50 km² and is located near present-day Yinchuan. The Western Xia Dynasty was the last dynasty before the Mongol occupation of the 13th century. 

Located in what is now Hunan Province, this 1996 discovery is often cited as one of the most significant finds of the 1990s. At first glance, one might think they are simply a few rotten bamboo strips, but upon closer inspection, they provide detailed information about finances during the Three Kingdoms period. 

This ancient capital existed during China’s Warring States period and was perhaps the largest city in the world 3,400 years ago. The city was built on a mountainside in the Taihang Mountains, and at its peak, it was renowned for its iron and bronze work.