Erlitou Site Museum of the Xia Capital

Erlitou Site Museum of the Xia Capital
二里头夏都遗址博物馆

Address: No 1 Zhenxundadao, Yanshi district, Luoyang, Henan province
Opening hours: 9am -5pm (last entry 4:30 pm)
Closed Mondays (except for national holidays and the peony cultural festival in Luoyang)
General admission: Free admission with valid ID card
Tourists need to book in advance online.
Tel: (+86 379) 65091899, (+86 379) 65091800

The Erlitou Site Museum of the Xia Capital exhibits the history of the Xia Dynasty (c.21st century-16th century BC), the first recorded dynasty in ancient China. The archaeological finds and academic research since site excavation began in 1959 are part of the displays.

As of 2025, the museum, with a 32,000-square-meter built-up area, is the world’s largest single rammed earth building. Its exterior, constructed primarily of rammed earth walls accentuated with red copper and fair-faced concrete, echoes the texture of the unearthed architectural complex remains at the Erlitou site, harmonizing the modern structure with its surroundings

The First Capital of China permanent exhibition systematically presents pre and post Xia Dynasty history, the archaeological finds at Erlitou and research on Xia culture.

Thousands of cultural relics are displayed, including bronzes, pottery, jade, and tools made of bones and stones, most of which can be dated to the late Xia or early Shang (c.16th century-11th century BC) dynasties.

The digital gallery on the second floor uses modern technology including immersive digital projection and a 3D digital theater to recreate the scale and layout of the capital, its state-run handicraft workshops and sacrificial ceremonies.