Qianling Mausoleum

As the mausoleum of Emperor Gaozong and his wife Empress Wu Zetian, the only female emperor in Chinese history, Qianling Mausoleum is the best preserved Tang Dynasty Mausoleum as well as the most unique one.

Situated inside Liangshan Hill, 6 km (about 3.73 miles) away from Qian County and 76 kilometers (about 47.2 miles) northwest of Xian City, the mausoleum was built in 684 B.C. and took almost 23 years to construct. Historical records said that there were originally inner and outer walls, four gates in each direction, countless halls and pavilions and marvelous stone carvings around the mausoleum. Now only the ancient stone carvings are still standing around the mausoleum. Altogether 114

statues of horses, lions, ostriches, servants and even foreign ambassadors as well as steles and ornamental columns in the mausoleum boast the glory and splendor of the Tang Dynasty silently. Qianling Mausoleum is also the best preserved mausoleum in China for it has never been broken into by tomb robbers.

To the southeast of Qianling Mausoleum there are many other tombs. According to historical records, 17 people were buried by the side of Qianling Mausoleum. Five of them had already been excavated, including the Tomb of Crown Prince Zhanghuai, the Tomb of Crown Prince Yide and the Tomb of Princess Yongtai. Many treasures such as splendid murals and Tang San Cai (tri-color pottery) were discovered in the tombs. Now all the treasures are well preserved in Qianling Museum in the tomb yard of Princess Yongtai.


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