Han Yang Ling Museum
Emperor Jindi (188BC—141BC), named Liu Qi, was the fourth Emperor of the Western Han Dynasty. During his 17-year reign, he adhered to the philosophy of Yellow Emperor and Saint Laozi, whose main doctrine was to follow the natural principles. He developed a peaceful relationship with the Huns through intermarriage, and reduced the burden of tax and penalty.
According to historical records, “the state revenue of the ancient capital was brimming with coins that the ropes, used for tying, decayed, leaving them impossible to count. Foods in state storage was permeated, most of them decayed”. Emperor Jindi, together with his father Emperor Wendi, opened a golden era of harmony in the early feudal society, which was later regarded as “the Great Reign of Wen and Jin”. 30 odd years of excavation shows that the Yangling Mausoleum is mainly composed of the Emperor and Empress` graveyards, southern and northern burial pits, ritual building, the satellite and criminal`s graveyards, and Yangling town.
To the west of them, lies the emperor and empress`tomb, northern and southern burial pits and the remains of ancestral construction. The emperor`s tomb is surrounded by 81 burial pits radiating from the centeral mound. A 110-meter wide Sacred Road, flanked by 10000 odd satellite tombs of ancient high officials, leads directly to Yangling Town. This scene is similar to ancient morning court held by the emperor.
Objects unearthed from the 200 odd burial pits include armored warrior figures with weapons, elegant palace maids with Han costumes, countless animals with vivid expressions. The HYLM is considered to represent the ancient burial custom, “ to attend to the dead as if to attend to the living”. HYLM is the most intact royal mausoleum and the most important tangible document in the research of burial customs and civilization of the Han Dynasty.
Profound Han culture, exquisite relics, unique underground museum and pleasant scenery make Han Yangling Museum the most charming and attractive museum locally and abroad.
