Western Xia Mausoleum

 　　

　　Western Xia was a feudal dynasty taking Dang,Xiang,and Qiang races as the main body in 11th century of China. It existed for 190 years and experienced the emperors of 10 dynasties from the year of 1038 when Yuanhao became an emperor in Xingqingfu(Yinchuan City)to 1227 when it was wiped out by Mongolia race. Its territory extended "to yellow river in the east, to Yumen in the west, to the Xiaoguan in the south, to grand desert in the north, over ten thousand kilometers". The land area was 830 thousand square kilometers in its most prosperous days, covering Ningxia, the most of Gansu, the western Inner Mongolia, the northern Shaanxi and immense areas of the eastern Qinghai. It had equal shares with Northern Song, and Liao in the first period, later in tripartite confrontation with Southern Song and Jin in the second, known as 'occupying 1/3 under the sun, and taking up the northwest for 200 years'. The establishment of the State of Western Xia made a positive contribution to medieval China reunification in the Northwest, socio-economic and cultural development, and the formation of the big multi-ethnic family.




　　Located at the eastern foot of Mt. Helan, 35 kilometres away from Yinchuan City, Western Xia Mausoleum is the royal mausoleum of Western Xia Dynasty. It covers an area of 53 square kilometres, dotted with tombs of nine kings and 253 annex tombs. Western Xia Mausoleum, dubbled as "Pyramids in China" was listed as a national cultural heritage under special protection in 1988. It is also a state-level scenic spot.
　　Western Xia Museum located in east of the mausoleum is the first theme museum taking the Royal Mausoleum of Western Xia as the background, and revealing the real history of the rise and fall of the Western Xia Kingdom in our country. The museum occupies an area of 5,300 square meters, with the architecture style of Western Xia ,like a mixture of modern structure and national architectural style. There are two exhibitions namely "Western Xia History and Culture Exhibition" and "the Achievements of Western Xia Research".At present, more than 700 historical relics in Western Xia dynasty and 500 copies academic study results are displayed in the museum. "Western Xia History and Culture Exhibition" is divided into six sections as Dang and Xiang migration and rising of Western Xia; politics, law and military affairs of Western Xia ; social economy of Western Xia; culture of Western Xia; religions of Western Xia and Western Xia Royal Mausoleum. Six exhibitions choose the Grade One cultural relics of the state including portrait steles, the heads of civil officials ,small stone horses Ma Xiao-shi, column caved with dragons, silk painting, mud heads of the figure of Buddha , arhats heads, and Western Xia script, the broken stele of Han characters, sutra, Western Xia chinas, chop, Western Xia money, and building materials etc, equiequipped with large sand table models, stupa madels, compact sights, character statues, copy frescos, plates, photos and other assistant items on display. It reveals the Western Xia historical and cultural connotations, represents the essence of Western Xia art. People can enjoy the past glory and prosperities of Western Xia Kingdom, and listen to the strongest voice of Western Xia history here.
　　Western Xia Art Hall is a comprehensive exhibition hall with various of art means to reappear Western Xia history. Through the display of 18 groups of scenes and 160 colour- painted sculptures, visitors can get to know important historical events of Dang and Xiang races from start to rise and fall. Six compact Western Xia stupas represent Buddhism culture and architecture art of Western Xia dynasty.
Western Xia Forest of tablets display the ever-lasting charm of Western Xia culture and art.
　　At present, service facilities of No.3 Mausoleum has been improved. There are guest rooms, restaurant, recreation centre ,and all kinds of facilities.
　　 Mysterious Western Xia Mausoleum is a shinning pearl of Yinchuan in the west, and a tourist attraction of learning Western Xia culture.