Western Xia Imperial Tombs are 25 kilometers (15.5 miles) west of Yinchuan on east side of
Helan Mountain. Since June 1972, nine imperial tombs and 253 lesser tombs have been
unearthed, which are as grand as Ming Tombs in Beijing.
Helan Mountain. Since June 1972, nine imperial tombs and 253 lesser tombs have been
unearthed, which are as grand as Ming Tombs in Beijing.
With a total area of more than 50 square kilometers (19.3 square miles), it is unique among
royal burials. The layout is patterned after the celestial bodies.According to records, the
tombs were patterned after Song Tombs in Gongxian County, Henan Province. Each imperial
tomb is an individual and integrated group of architectures, sitting north and facing south
in a rectangle.
It is one of the largest and best preserved imperial graveyards in China, unique not only
in structure but also in their sheer sizes and close proximity to each other. A seven-
layered solid pagoda 22 meters in height and octagonal in shape, with each side measurig 12
meters in length, is positioned 10 meters west of the vertical line of each mausoleum,
which is also graced with two to three stele pavilions. The boundaries of each mausoleum
are marked with four corner turrets, a unique feature of Western Xia mausoleums. The
companion tombs are in cylindrical, truncated cones, vaulted and other designs.
Western Xia Kingdom was founded 770 years ago and overthrown by Genghis khan and his army in the 13th century.The Western Xia state existed between 1038 and 1227, when it was
finally conquered by the Mongols under Chingis Khan, and was founded by the Tangut ethnic
group, about which little is currently known. Of current excavations, only the No.3
mausoleum has been adequately excavated and researched. This mausoleum is attributed to
Western Xia's first emperor Li Yuanhao (1003-1048), has been determined as a pavilion-tower
construction fusing both traditional mausoleum and temple styles with Buddhist
characteristics.
Western Xia Imperial Tombs are not only a state cultural heritage but also a state scenic
spot. The magnificent labyrinth and the continuous Helan Mountain and boundless desert are
definitely worth visiting.
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