Imagine stepping into a world where ancient artifacts from one of China's oldest dynasties whisper tales of power and ritual. Imagine entering a sacred dream where lustrous jade and burnished bronze artifacts speak of the power they represented and the rituals they facilitated. Imagine encountering an ancient queen whose military prowess equaled her royal authority and spiritual stature.

This is the world of Sacred Shang, an immersive virtual exhibition that introduces crafts from China's Shang Dynasty (c. 1600 BC-1046 BC) through the story of Fu Hao – Shang queen, military general, high priestess and beloved wife of King Wu Ding.

Sacred Shang is part of China Crafted – the latest edition of CGTN's Art Series – that invites viewers to explore the beauty of ancient Chinese artifacts from four major dynasties: Shang, Han, Tang and Song.

Sacred Shang features timeless vessels from China's second dynasty, celebrated alongside those of ancient Egypt, Mesopotamia and the Indus Valley. It is about a civilization that gave the world one of its earliest writing systems – the oracle bone script, which has survived for over three millennia, as if honoring a silent promise to keep a love story alive across time. 

The oracle bones tell a surprisingly personal story: the king repeatedly consulted the spirits about Fu Hao's health and wellbeing, revealing her importance and offering a rare glimpse into life at the royal court.

Fu Hao's tomb, discovered in 1976 at Yinxu, Anyang, central China's Henan Province, contained over 1,900 artifacts, including ritual bronze vessels and weapons, jade ornaments, bone hairpins, and other cultural relics – each piece carrying a story.

The jade phoenix, for example, reflects elegance and symbolism, echoing the oracle bone character for phoenix. 

Jade hairpins and thumb rings mark adulthood and readiness for leadership, while bronze weapons, including battle-axes inscribed with Fu Hao's name, prove she commanded armies and led men in battle.

Sacred Shang also reveals how the Shang elite lived. Royal children were trained in rites, music, archery and strategy, preparing them to lead. 

Every object in Fu Hao's tomb reflects power, devotion and memory.

Bronze weapons show authority, ritual vessels record networks of family, allies and nobles, while jade artifacts preserve spiritual beliefs.

From bronze square dings to intricately inscribed axes, each piece connects the past to the present, carrying a story of legacy and remembrance.

Lastly, Sacred Shang includes an original video production that brings Fu Hao to life through a vivid animation as well as interviews with experts who reflect on the craftsmanship behind the Shang artifacts.

With Sacred Shang, history steps out of textbooks and into your world. Let's experience a realm of power, ritual and legacy forged in jade and bronze.