Yongling Mausoleum, Imperial tomb in Chengdu, China.
Yongling Mausoleum is a burial structure in Chengdu that rises 15 meters above ground with a circular base measuring 80 meters in diameter. The site features 14 gray brick archways that define and frame the burial area.
This structure is the tomb of Wang Jian, a Tang Dynasty general who founded the Former Shu Kingdom and ruled between 907 and 918. His burial marks a turning point during the Five Dynasties period, when political power was fragmented across the land.
The burial chamber displays intricate stone carvings of 24 female musicians and dancers, showing how court music was part of imperial life in early dynasties. These figures reveal what kinds of performers and performances were valued in royal courts.
The site is accessible and visitors should allow time to explore both the outer structures and the interior chambers at a comfortable pace. The best time to visit is during milder seasons when the weather allows for easier walking around the grounds.
What makes this burial place worth noting is its early above-ground design, representing one of the oldest surviving examples of this burial approach in China. Inside stands a life-size stone statue of Wang Jian seated on a dragon-decorated bed, showing how rulers were commemorated in stone during this era.
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