Tombs near Dongqian Lake, Ancient burial site at Dongqian Lake, Ningbo, China
Tombs near Dongqian Lake form an archaeological site with burial structures spread around the lake's perimeter, dating from different periods of Chinese history. The remains include stone monuments, graves marked with sculptures, and burial chambers that reveal changing construction methods over centuries.
The burial grounds developed over multiple dynasties, with major tombs from the Southern Song period showing how burial practices evolved. The site gained national protection status because it preserves a layered record of human settlement at this location across different eras.
The burial grounds reveal how ancient societies honored their dead through specific burial practices and monument placement along the lakeshore. Stone decorations and inscriptions show what mattered to families when they memorialized their loved ones.
The tomb sites are accessible via marked paths that circuit the lakeshore, making them easy to explore on foot at a comfortable pace. Guided tours are available throughout the year and help explain what you are seeing at each location.
The site holds roughly 200 stone carvings from the Southern Song era, an unusually high concentration of sculptures from this period in one location. These works reveal the skilled craftsmanship of sculptors who created detailed reliefs and decorative elements for the tombs.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
