Understand
[edit]
Nine tombs of Western Xia kings and more than 140 companion tombs with the remains of major imperial family members and aristocrats are laid out according to the contours of the terrain in an area of 50 km² on the eastern side of Helan Shan. Each tomb was an independent architectural complex more than 100,000 m² in area, complete with turrets, archways, stele pavilions, outer walls, inner cities, memorial halls, pagoda-shaped altars, and divine walls. It is one of the largest and best protected imperial cemeteries in China.
History
[edit]Western Xia kingdom, 1038 to 1227 CE.
Landscape
[edit]Get in
[edit]Tourist bus 1 leaves from the small tourist bus station on Xinyue Square (新月广场; xinyue guangchang), Yinchuan, close to the intersection of Beijing Road and Qinghe street, next to the Yinchuan Islamic center (银川清真美食文化城). It stops along Beijing Road, including near Yinchuan Station, before going to the tombs. The bus leaves at 9AM, costs ¥8, and takes one hour to reach the Park. After 2-3 hours for visiting, it returns for ¥8.
A 20-minute taxi ride from Yinchuan costs around ¥100 return, including waiting time.
Fees and permits
[edit]- 1 Entrance. ¥75, plus ¥20 for the park shuttle bus.
Bus from Xinyue bus station ¥8 one way. The conductor can sell you tickets to the park for ¥85 instead of ¥95
Get around
[edit]The park shuttle bus connects the gate, the museum, and the twin tombs 5km away. It is also possible to walk or rent a bike to explore the site
See
[edit]The Xi Xia Mausoleums (Xi Xia Tombs) are at the base of the middle section of the eastern slope of Helan Mountain, 30 km west of Yinchuan. They have been declared a state-level scenic spot and major national cultural monument under special protection.
- 1 Third Tomb (三号陵遗址). The largest of the tombs.
- 2 First Tomb (西夏王陵 1号陵). and 3 Second Tomb (西夏王陵 2号陵), the twin tombs.
- 4 Western Xia Museum (西夏博物馆).
- 5 Western Xia History Museum (西夏史话艺术馆).
- 6 Forest of Steles (碑林).