Majestic palace architecture at Machu Picchu, the splendid ancient city of Cusco, the mysterious Nazca geoglyphs, together with dazzling textiles, colorful ceramics, and exquisite gold and silver artifacts… What puzzles scholars is that such a magnificent Andean civilization never developed a writing system or an advanced transportation network. Around 15,000 years ago, hunters from Asia crossed the Bering Strait and reached this extraordinary land. In relative isolation from other civilizations, they experienced the long processes of the Formative, Developmental, Regional, and Nation-State periods, ultimately founding the Inca Empire — the pinnacle of Andean cultural achievement.

The year 2021 marks the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Peru. On this occasion, the Guangdong Museum presents “Enigma of the Golden Kingdom: Ancient Civilization of the Andes, Peru.” Featuring collections from 11 renowned museums in Peru, the exhibition brings together representative artifacts showcasing major archaeological discoveries and research outcomes on Andean civilizations. With exceptional scientific and artistic value, this exhibition is making its debut in China. As it bears witness to the continued friendship between the two nations, the Guangdong Museum invites visitors to embark on a journey into the mysteries of ancient Andean culture and uncover the enduring enigma of the “Golden Kingdom.”