not surprising that they should have had impressive burials and
that in view of her powerful and dominating character that the Empress
should have shared her late husband's tomb. This is the only instance of
a mausoleum shared in this way and of course, Wu Zetian was the only
woman who ruled China.
The Qian Mausoleum occupies a prominent site on the summit of
Liangshan Hill, some 80 kilometers (50 miles) northwest of the Tang
capital, Chang'an (today's Xi'an). The design of the tomb site
replicates the city of Chang'an and in accordance with tradition is on a
north-south axis. The southern approach is set between two smaller
hills and the way to the Emperor’s tomb is lined with stone animals as
well as human figures. These include horses and ostriches, horses with
wings and a pair of stone lions. In all there are 124 stone sculptures
and these are reminders of the fact that the Tang was very much involved
with trade and diplomatic exchange with the world far beyond China's
borders as there are distinct Western Asian and Greek influences in
these sculptures.
The tomb is of a very strong and secure construction and is notable
as the only mausoleum to escape the unwelcome attention of tomb
robbers.
In total the mausoleum site covered an area of 2.3 square meters
(0.88 square kilometers) and within this area stood 378 buildings that
included the Sacrifice Hall, a Pavilion, a Hall of Ministers and
numerous corridors. Unfortunately, the above ground structures have not
survived unlike the stone sculptures that still delight visitors.
Two ornamented octagonal columns mark the south entrance and the
mythical winged horses are the first of the sculptures. The pair of
ostriches was a gift from Afghanistan; of the five pairs of horses that
are next along the route only three still have their attendant grooms.
Ten pairs of military figures bearing swords stand guard along the path.
Further life-sized sculptures of men represent the sixty one foreign
emissaries that attended the Emperor's funeral and were created on the
instructions of Empress Wu Zetian, who wanted a permanent reminder of
their visit. Each figure is depicted in a long robe with a wide belt and
wearing boots. The name of each individual and the country he
represented is carved on the back of the statue. It is not known how or
why but regrettably each statue has been decapitated at some time in the
distant past.
The Qijie Bei (Tablet of Seven Elements), so called because it
symbolizes the Sun, Moon, Metal, Wood, Water, Earth and Fire, carries an
inscription composed by the Empress Wu Zetian that describes the
achievements of her late husband. The calligraphy is that of Emperor
Zhongzong whom the Empress deposed but later returned to the throne
following her own eventual retirement from office. An unusual feature is
the Blank Tablet that has carved dragons and oysters upon it but no
inscription, there is nothing like this at any other royal tomb site. It
is thought that this tablet was erected upon the orders of the Empress
and that it would eventually bear a description of her achievements, to
be recorded by some future generation. Maybe she thought that in this
way only her good deeds would be remembered and recorded for posterity!
Address: Qian Country, Shaanxi Province |
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