It is overland tour to Mt. Wudangshan in Hubei province from Xian. Hubei province is located in mid China connecting many provinces in China by convenient transportation of railway, cruise, and flights......
Qianling Mausoleum
In the 7th century A.D., whilst Europe was still living in the Dark Ages after the fall of the Roman Empire, China was entering its golden age under the Tang Dynasty (A.D. 618-907). This dynasty produced 20 emperors, 18 of whom were buried in mausoleums scattered across the Guanzhong plain, China’s ‘Valley of the Kings’. One of these mausoleums is the Qianling Mausoleum.
The Qianling Mausoleum, literally meaning the ‘Mausoleum of the Heavenly Hexagram’, is situated in Qian County, Shaanxi Province, and is about 85 km northwest from the former capital of the Tang Dynasty, Xi’an. The mausoleum itself is located on Liangshang Mountain, with the Leopard Valley to the east and the Sand Canyon to the west. This limestone mountain had three peaks on its top, the highest of which was the northern one containing the Qianling Mausoleum. The southern peaks are shorter and faced each other. As each of them has an earthen mound on its surface resembling a nipple, they are collectively known as Naitoushan (Nipple Hills). Like other imperial mausoleums, Qianling comprised a complex of underground chambers, while the surface structures included monumental gates, a long spirit way lined with stone statuary, a large enclosed mortuary garden, memorial halls, chapels, lodges, shrines and imperial quarters where the souls of the deceased monarchs could eat and sleep.
This mausoleum was completed in A.D. 684, and its construction is believed to have taken up to 40 or 50 years. The mausoleum is a complex of tombs that contained the remains of a number of the members of the royal Li Dynasty. These include the builder of the Qianling Mausoleum, the Emperor Gaozong of Tang (also the third emperor of the Tang Dynasty), and his wife, Wu Zetian. Wu Zetian was a formidable woman who usurped the throne after her husband’s death, founded her own (short-lived) Zhou Dynasty, and was the only governing female emperor in Chinese history. Apart from these important tombs, there are also 17 smaller attendant tombs in the complex. Of these, only five have been excavated, three of which belong to members of the royal family, one to a chancellor of China, and the last one to a general of the left guard. The mausoleum is renowned for its many Tang Dynasty stone statues located above ground and the mural paintings adorning the subterranean walls of the tombs.
One of the issues surrounding the Qianling Mausoleum is whether the tombs should be excavated or not. Although five tombs in the Qianling Mausoleum complex have been excavated, the rest are still untouched. One of the arguments put forward in support of re-starting archaeological excavations at the site is the fact that the Qianling Mausoleum is the only Tang Dynasty mausoleum that has not been plundered. It seems that the other 17 mausoleums were either plundered during the late Tang period, or the succeeding Five Dynasties period. Moreover, the richness found in the five attendant tombs has raised the hopes that the more important tombs would yield even greater treasures. Thus, it has been argued that the skeletal remains, precious grave goods, ceramics and carpentry inside the tombs would be able to help archaeologists gain a much better understanding of that period and imperial mortuary practices. Furthermore, it has been argued that the excavation would be considered as a form of salvage archaeology, as the area is prone to earthquakes. This claim, however, is not backed up by geological data.
One of the problems facing archaeologists who intend to excavate the Qianling Mausoleum is the fact that the artefacts would start to decay once they are removed from their resting place. In other words, the archaeologists have to be armed with a sufficient amount of conservation knowledge before proceeding with their work. Some people are unconvinced that the archaeologists involved have the expertise to protect the excavated artefacts from falling apart. In addition, it has been argued that the tombs may not be as wealthy as previously thought. For instance, it has been pointed out that the surveys done at the site have not been rigorous enough, and that the tombs may have actually been plundered in the past. Additionally, in A.D. 683, the Emperor Gaozong issued a memorial calling for the ‘exercise of thrift in the matter of imperial burials’. Hence, it is also possible that there were not many grave goods in his tomb in the first place. So, should the tombs be excavated, or should the dead be left in peace? What do you think?
More Attractions
-
The Shaanxi history museum is one the hottest attractions in tours in Xian, and it houses 1...... -
Xians ancient City Wall is the most intact attractions in Xian tours,and it encircles and p...... -
The Terracotta Warriors and Horses is a collection of terracotta sculptures depicting the a......
Recommended Tours
1 Day Chengdu Harmoney Tours of Mt Qingchengshan and Dujiangyan Dam
One day classic tours of Chengdu to Mt. Qingchengshan and Dujiangyan Dam will show tourist the profound of ancient Chinese wisdom and culture in harmony relation with the world. ......
1 Day Chengdu Giant Panda and Leshan Buddha Day Trip
The most classic one day Chengdu tours will bring tourist to Chengdu Giant panda garden and Leshan giant buddha with private travel guide and car in Chengdu, extremely convenient and easy!......
1 Day Best Chengdu Tours of Sanxingdui and Giant Panda Garden
One days best Chengdu tours bring tourist to Sanxingdui museum and giant panda garden with private guide and car, making your tour in Chengdu easy. ......
1 Day Chengdu Panda Volunteer Tour in Dujiangyan/Wolong/Bifengxia
This panda volunteer work provide tourist with one days unique experience of Panda volunteer project works and bring them an intimate touch with Giant pandas, also the best way to learn deep about pand......
2 Days Mt. Emeishan and Leshan Bullet Train Adventure
It is tour from the only one operator in Chengdu tours market offering Emeishan and Leshan tours by bullet train. Our highlights including Leshan Giant Buddha and Mt Emeishan. ......
