How to Visit Western Xia Imperial Tombs

If you are going to visit Yinchuan on your Ningxia Tour, you are highly recommended to visit the original site of the Western Xia Imperial Tombs, the most important sight in Ningxia. The complex of imperial tombs is located 35 km west of the city of Yinchuan, the capital city of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region and on the eastern slopes in the middle section of Helan Mountains.

The Western Xia Imperial Tombs are the burial site of the 9 emperor mausoleums, 254 subordinate tombs in Western Xia Dynasty. Western Xia Dynasty was founded by Tangut ethnic group in 1038 and destroyed in 1227 by the Mongols which later established Yuan Dynasty ( 1279 – 1368 ).

The imperial tombs are now on the tentative lists of UNESCO World Cultural Heritage. The Tombs are the best-preserved historic cultural heritage representing the Tangut civilization at the largest scale and in the highest rank.

How to get to Western Xia Imperial Tombs from Yinchuan?

1) Take a bus from Beimen Tourist Bus Station: Leaving from Yinchuan at 8:30 and 9:30; back from 13:30 and 15:30
2) During tourist peak season ( late April – late October ), a special tour bus is operated at Crescent Square ( Xinyue Guangchang ) to the tombs at 09:00 every day.
3) Share a taxi from Yinchuan
4) Using a local travel agency
People often combine the three sites on a day trip outside Yinchuang including Western Xia Imperial Tombs, Western China Film Studio and Rock Art at Helanshan Mountain.

Entrance Fee: RMB 60 including the fee for electric car
Opening Hours: 8:00 – 18:00

Now follow me to have a glimpse of the Western Xia Imperial Tombs.

The South Entrance to the tombs

The South Entrance to the tombs
The South Entrance to the tombs

First take an electric car from the gate to the museum in the compound.

First take an electric car from the gate to the museum in the compound.
First take an electric car from the gate to the museum in the compound.

Visitors are arranged to visit Western Xia Museum. The museum displays the impressive artifacts related to Western Xia culture.

Western Xia Museum
Western Xia Museum

Visitors are briefed on the layout model of the Western Xia Dynasty and the location of the tombs and Helan Mountain.  Of the 9 imperial tombs, the Tomb No.03 is the largest one , which was attributed to the founder of Western Xia Dynasty – Mr.Li Yuanhao.

The tomb was originally constructed in an octagonal pagoda style with outer wooden structure and rammed earth inside. The tomb was built within an inner city. Now you have a brief introduction to the tomb construction.

The tomb was originally constructed in an Octagonal pavilion style
The tomb was originally constructed in an Octagonal pavilion style

The layout model of the Western Xia Dynasty

the layout model of the Western Xia Dynasty
the layout model of the Western Xia Dynasty

The stone pedestal of a figure excavated from the No.08′ emperor’s tomb 1972.

The stone pedestal of a figure
The stone pedestal of a figure

Move from Western Xia Dynasty Museum, and walk on the path leading to the Tomb No.03.

Enter the complex of the Western Xia Tombs
Enter the complex of the Western Xia Tombs

The Tomb no.03’s imperial burial site was composed of the tomb itself, the inner city and the moon city. Below is the ruins of the rammed walls of the former moon city in front of the inner city.

Walking toward the Tomb No.03.

Walking toward the Tomb No.03.
Walking toward the Tomb No.03.

The former moon city in front of the inner city.

The former moon city in front of the inner city
The former moon city in front of the inner city

The inner city in a rectangle layout is the symbol of the imperial palace in the real world. Four gates were built as well as four towers on the four corners. The walls were rammed with plank, which is 3.5 meters wide and painted in red. The wall was decorated with projecting eaves covered with tiles.

The ruins of the rammed wall of the inneer city

The ruins of the rammed wall of the inneer city
The ruins of the rammed wall of the inneer city

North of the Tomb No.03 is the imperial sacred way. North of the imperial sacred way is the Sacrifice Temple. Today the temple has disappeared and only the foundation is still discernable.

the ruined Sacrifice Temple.
the ruined Sacrifice Temple.

After the ruined Sacrifice Temple is the imperial path or the Tomb Gallery. The gallery is 46 meters long and 24 degree of inclination.

the Tomb Gallery
the Tomb Gallery

The Tomb Tower (Tomb No.03) is the main structure in the imperial tomb complex. The main body of the tower or pagoda was constructed with earth and covered with wooden structure of seven storeys. The current base of the tomb is 36 meters in diameters and 24 meters in height.

he Tomb Tower (Tomb No.03)
The Tomb Tower (Tomb No.03)

Tip:  Hassle-free Yinchuan Guided Tours
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If you don’t want to go the do-it-yourself route and prefer the hassle-free escorted tours,  here are some options for Yinchuan Guided Tours:

Yinchuan One Day Excursion Tour  from US$ 95 p/p
Yinchuan 3 Day Tour   from US$ 235 p/p
Yinchuan Car Rental with Driver

Further Readings


Top 10 Attractions in Yinchuan
How to Visit Yinchuan in 2 Days
Western Xia Imperial Tombs
Helan Mountain Rock Art
Great Wall at Shuidonggou
West Film Studio
Yinchuan Taxi

Any questions, just drop a line.

 

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