Western Xia Imperial Tombs: the best-preserved historic cultural heritage representing the Tangut civilization

The Western Xia Kingdom (1038-1227) was once a mighty kingdom, whose capital, Yinchuan, was sheltered by the Helan Mountain imperial forest. Its imperial tombs reflect the cultural and military glories of its past.

The Western Xia Imperial Tombs are located on the eastern side of Helan Mountain, 25 kilometers west of Yinchuan, the capital of Ningxua Hui autonomous region. Since June 1972, nine imperial tombs and 253 small tombs have been excavated. They are as grand as the Ming Tombs in Beijing. Covering more than 50 square kilometers, the site is unique among royal burial grounds with the layout patterned after celestial bodies.

According to records, the layout of the tombs was based on the Song tombs in Gongxian county, Henan province. They adopted the Zhao-Mu burial system (the father is Zhao, son is Mu and grandson is Zhao again). The eastern and western lines run south to north, with Zhao on the left and Mu on the right. Each tomb is an independent, complete architectural group, sitting north and facing south in a rectangular shape.

The tombs’ inner square, roads, courtyards, wells and residential relics can be clearly seen. In the middle of the southern end of the heavenly wall there is a platform of watchtowers. To the north stand stele pavilions, varying from one tomb to another. The western terrace was used for sacrifices. Behind it is a striking mausoleum platform, the remains of which are 23 meters high; it was once a five or seven-storey solid eight-sided pagoda. This is quite unique among Chinese mausoleums. Foreigners call this relic the Oriental Pyramid. Between the sacrificial palace and the mausoleum platform lies an earthen ridge, under which a corridor leads to the chamber–the underground palace.

There are mysteries yet to be unveiled. The Helan Mountains were once flooded, but somehow the imperial tombs remained untouched. Also unearthed there are 8 or 9 kneeling stone statues with protruding teeth, glaring eyes and thick chests whose significance and function are still a mystery. The site is not only a national cultural heritage, but also a national scenic spot. The grand mazes, the endless Helan Mountains and deserts are definitely worth a visit.