The Western Xia Mausoleum (西夏陵), located at the foot of the Helan Mountains in Yinchuan, span approximately 50 square kilometers, stretching 4.5 kilometers east to west and over 10 kilometers north to south. This historical site features nine imperial tombs, 271 accompanying burial sites, a large architectural relic at the northern end, and 32 flood control engineering sites, along with several brick and lime kiln remnants. Each imperial tomb is an independent rectangular structure oriented southward, comparable in scale to the Ming Dynasty’s Thirteen Tombs. Influenced by architectural styles from the Qin and Han dynasties, as well as Tang and Song imperial tombs, these mausoleums are often referred to as the “Eastern Pyramids.”
Visitors can also explore the Western Xia Museum, the Western Xia Historical Art Museum, and the Western Xia Stele Forest, which provide valuable insights into the history of the Western Xia dynasty. Currently, tombs No. 1, 2, and 3 are open for public visits, with Tomb No. 3, known as “Tai Tomb,” belonging to the founding emperor Li Yuanhao, located near the Western Xia Historical Art Museum and Stele Forest.
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Basic Information
| Estimated Length of Tour | 1 – 2 hours |
| Ticket Price | 88 RMB including admission and sightseeing bus |
| Opening Hours | 7.30 – 18.00 (1st April – 31st October) 8.00 – 17.00 (1st November – 31st March) |
| Telephone Number | 0086-0951-5668966 0086-0951-5668967 |
Location and Transportation
The Western Xia Mausoleum is located at the foot of Helan Mountain in the western part of Yinchuan City, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region. It sits in the northwest of the Yinchuan Plain, stretching from Yushugou in the south to Quanjigou in the north, and bounded by the Xigan Canal to the east and the Helan Mountain to the west. To get there, you can take bus 708 or Tourist Line 1 and get off at Western Xia Mausoleum Stop (西夏陵站).
Highlights of Xixia Mausoleum
Yuling Mausoleum
The Yuling Mausoleum, known as Tomb No. 1 of the Western Xia Mausoleums, is situated within a rectangular complex that faces south with a slight eastward tilt. The mausoleum is enclosed by a substantial outer wall, featuring a range of structures including gate towers, stelae pavilions, a moon city, and an inner city, which encompasses various ceremonial buildings and burial pathways.
The outer city, now mostly collapsed, measures 360 meters in length and 250 meters in width, with a central entrance about 35 meters wide. The wall, constructed from tamped earth and stone, is approximately 1.7 meters thick. Inside, two gate towers, constructed from yellow sand, stand 6 meters high and are spaced 65 meters apart.
Three stelae pavilions exist within the site, two on the eastern side and one on the west, with notable remains including a platform and scattered bricks. North of the stelae pavilions is the Moon City, featuring a partially collapsed wall with remnants of stone statues along its pathway.
The inner city is rectangular and measures about 115 meters long and 200 meters wide, surrounded by walls that remain up to 4 meters high in some areas. Within the inner city, the Offering Hall, situated near the southern gate, is characterized by its rectangular base and is believed to reflect a traditional architectural style.
A burial passage, slightly elevated and shaped like a fish spine, leads to the main tomb area, which contains various structural remnants, including a bell tower site nearby. The mausoleum itself features a prominent octagonal platform that is tiered and intricately designed, surrounded by a wealth of building materials from its original construction.
Jialing Mausoleum
The Jialing Mausoleum, also known as Tomb No. 2 of the Western Xia Mausoleums, is the burial site of Li Deming, the son of Li Jiqian and the father of the founder of the Western Xia dynasty, Li Yuanhao. Located approximately 30 meters northwest of the Yuling Mausoleum, this site has largely succumbed to ruin, with most of its original structures now in a state of decay.
While the remaining height of the corner towers at Jialing is slightly lower than that of the Yuling Mausoleum, the overall condition, architectural layout, and orientation of the tomb are quite similar to its predecessor. The mausoleum complex reflects the same meticulous planning and design as seen in the other tombs within this historical site, showcasing the continuity of style and function during the Western Xia period.
Tailing Mausoleum
The Tailing Mausoleum, known as Tomb No. 3 of the Western Xia Mausoleums, is located southwest of the Western Xia Museum and is commonly referred to as “Hao Wang Fen.” Archaeological experts identify it as the burial site of Li Yuanhao, the founding emperor of the Western Xia dynasty. Spanning approximately 150,000 square meters, Tailing is the largest mausoleum in the area.
Despite significant damage to its surface structures, key elements such as the altar platforms and burial mounds remain well-preserved. The layout of the mausoleum includes a series of features from south to north: altar platforms, stele pavilions, Moon City, and the surrounding city walls.
Altar Platforms: Located at the southern end of the mausoleum, these platforms are symmetrically arranged on either side of the central axis and are made of compacted earth. Each square platform measures 8 meters on each side and rises 7 meters high, with a slight inward slope at the top, where remnants of building materials can be found.
Stele Pavilions: These pavilions are also symmetrically positioned along the central axis, spaced 80 meters apart. Excavated in 1987, the eastern pavilion features a circular square base with a tiered design. The decorative brickwork includes motifs such as lotus flowers and intricate patterns with inscriptions, revealing Buddhist influences.
Moon City: Situated to the north of the stele pavilions, this crescent-shaped enclosure measures 120 meters east to west and 52 meters north to south. Its southern wall features a gateway flanked by stone statue bases.
Surrounding City Walls: Enclosing the mausoleum, these walls form a rectangular shape, with notable construction techniques that enhance their durability. The gates include decorative elements suggesting the presence of an entrance tower.
Accompanying Burial Sites
The accompanying burial sites typically belong to high-ranking royal relatives or nobles. Each imperial mausoleum features a varying number of these smaller graves, most of which are significantly less grand than the main tombs. Unlike the imperial tombs, accompanying burials lack distinctive structures such as altar platforms, corner towers, or ceremonial halls.
Their design and construction materials show clear differences. According to recent surveys by the Ningxia Museum, the distribution of these burial sites varies widely, including dual or multiple grave arrangements within a single area. Generally, medium to large accompanying graves are constructed using a mix of compacted earth and gravel, while smaller graves are often created by mounding soil into a hill, sometimes covered with lime plaster or stacked stones.
The significant differences in scale and structure between these accompanying graves and the main imperial tombs reflect the strict hierarchical nature of Western Xia society and its burial customs.
