Western Xia Imperial Tombs, Imperial necropolis in Yinchuan, China
The Western Xia Imperial Tombs stretch along the eastern base of the Helan Mountains and contain eight imperial mausoleums along with roughly 70 additional burial chambers. The site consists of underground palaces, gardens, and terraced structures arranged in an organized layout.
The burial complex served as the resting place for rulers of the Western Xia, a kingdom controlling parts of northwestern China from the 11th to the 13th century. The structures were built over multiple generations as a monument to the dynasty's power.
The mausoleums show architectural features from the Tang and Song periods, with spiritual terraces resembling Buddhist pagodas. The gardens and structures reflect beliefs about an afterlife meant to surround the rulers even in death.
A visit requires several hours to explore the excavated structures and displays thoroughly. Self-guided walks are possible with information plaques throughout the site, or a knowledgeable guide can explain the details of the mausoleums and layouts better.
The tombs follow a special dual-layer design with visible surface structures and hidden underground chambers. This arrangement allowed ritual ceremonies to take place above ground while the imperial burials remained concealed deep below.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
