Tang Zhaoling Mausoleum

Introducing Zhaoling Mausoleum of Tang Dynasty
Zhaoling Mausoleum is located 70 km northwest of Xi'an. Zhaoling Mausoleum is where Emperor Taizong, the second emperor of the Tang Dynasty was buried. Emperor Taizong was born in 599 and his name at birth was Li Shimin, the second son of the first Tang dynasty emperor, Gaozu. He died in 649 at the age of 52 and was buried at Zhaoling Mausoleum. The Tang Dynasty was established by Emperor Gaozu in 618 CE with the assistance of Li Shimin. Li Shimin launched a coup in 626 CE, forcing his father to yield the throne. After his father abdicated the throne, Li Shimin became the second emperor of the Tang dynasty, and ruled for 23 years from 626 to 649, inaugurating one of the most glorious reigns in Chinese history and laying a foundation for a prosperous Tang Empire that would endure almost 300 years. In 636 CE, Emperor Taizong selected Mount Jiuzong to serve as the site for his mausoleum. Covering 20,000 hectares, Zhaoling comprises the primary tomb of Emperor Taizong, 194 attendant tombs, above-ground funerary architecture and groups of stone sculpture. The six horse reliefs flanking Taizong’s tomb at Zhaoling are the most well-known. Four reliefs now reside in the Stele Forest Museum in Xi’an and the other two are at the Penn Museum in the US. Each one depicts an actual horse that was ridden in a battle that helped Emperor Taizong unite China.

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Zhaoling Mausoleum of Tang Dynasty Fast Facts
• Chinese Name: Tang Zhao Ling 唐昭陵
• Best Time to Visit: All year round
• Recommended Visiting Hours: 1 hour
• Distance from Xian: 70 km (44 mi)
• Opening Hours: 09:00 - 18:00
• Entrance Fee: CNY30
• Address: Jiuzongshan, Yanxia Township, Liquan County, Shaanxi Province
• Address in Chinese: 陕西省礼泉县烟霞镇九嵕山

What to expect at Zhaoling Mausoleum of Tang Dynasty
Covering 20,000 hectares, Zhaoling Mausoleum comprises the primary tomb of Emperor Taizong, 194 attendant tombs of nobles and high officials. It is the largest imperial tomb complex not only in China, but also in the world. As a prince, Emperor Taizong enjoyed hunting. His obsession with hunting helped him locate Mount Jiuzong to be his final resting place. The 1188 meter elevated Mount Jiuzong has a very peculiar, unmistakable profile, and ancient sources report that the mountain was sufficiently high to be seen - as a small heap at the horizon - from the Tang capital, today's Xian. North of the mountain peak, lies the spirit way and a group of ceremonial buildings. The original buildings did not survive through the ages. Among the existing relics of Zhaolin Mausoleum, the exquisite relief sculptures "Six Steeds of Zhaoling' were works gaining the highest praise of all. In 636 after Empress Zhangsun was buried, Emperor Taizong commissioned six of his favorite war steeds sculpted into six stone steeds to commemorate his achievements on the battlefields and in memory of his beloved war horses. "The best of their kind," the Six Steeds were carefully selected from a good breed of Central Asian and Persian horses. Before they were sculptured, renderings were drawn by the greatest Tang Dynasty painter Yan Liben. They were carved on stone slabs, 8 feet high and 10 feet wide, placed in rows symmetrically along the North Spirit Way. Emperor Taizong had been accompanied by his Six Steeds till 1921, when they were broken into pieces for easy transportation. A Chinese art dealer managed to ship two reliefs to the US and sold for $125,000 to UPENN. Today, two reliefs are at the Penn Museum in the US and the other four reside in Xian's Stele Forest Museum. Emperor Taizong is accompanied by six replica steeds of his most favorite war horses.