Shu culture

The ancient kingdom of Shu originated from the Sanxingdui culture and thrived during the Xia Dynasty, lasting a total of one or two millenia.^[8] The Shu culture had a rich tradition of metalworking (especially with bronze) and manufactured numerous notable artifacts, hundreds of which were unearthed at sacrificial pits at Sanxingdui and Jinsha; these include bronze statues, heads and masks, several bronze trees (one of which, the Bronze Sacred Tree, has been restored), daggers, hundreds of pieces of pottery, and the Golden Sun Bird.^[9][10] Additionally, the Shu culture is noted for its resistance to external influences, and was more or less unaffected by other nearby cultures until its conquest by the Qin Dynasty in 316 BC.^[11][12]

Ba culture

Ba culture and the State of Ba were historically centered around the Three Gorges area.^[13] The Ba people worshiped the white tiger, which was their totem, and crafted many bronze artifacts based on its form and patterns.^[14][15] Additionally, they had a rich tradition of performing arts, with distinctive instruments and ritual dances like the Bayu Dance.^[16][17] However, there is a lack of identifiable artifacts belonging to the Ba culture because nearly all of them have been mixed with relics of other nearby kingdoms. Additionally, there is an absence of written records about Ba culture made in the same time period by the Shang dynasty or any other states. As a result, not much is known about ancient Ba culture.^[18]

Sichuanese architecture

Sichuanese garden