Han Weiling, Imperial mausoleum in Shaanxi, China.
Han Weiling is an imperial mausoleum in Shaanxi with a central burial chamber surrounded by walls, gates, and sacrificial areas. The site contains thousands of miniature terracotta figures, pottery, and bronze objects displayed through glass floors that show their original positions.
The mausoleum was built for Emperor Jing, who ruled from 157 to 141 BCE and carried out agricultural reforms and tax cuts. These measures helped stabilize the early Han dynasty and reflected his importance to the empire.
The site shows how emperors were buried with valuable objects meant to serve them in the afterlife. Visitors can observe at the excavated sections how seriously the Han dynasty took these burial practices.
The burial chamber and excavated sections are accessible through glass floors that allow viewing of objects in their original arrangement. The site is large, so visitors should wear comfortable shoes and allow time to explore the full grounds.
Archaeological finds at the site show evidence of tea consumption from the 2nd century BCE, suggesting early imperial tea ceremonies. This discovery ranks among the oldest documentation of tea use in China.
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