| Hanyangling,Xian |
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 Hanyangling
is the joint tomb of Emperor Liu Qi (Hanjingdi, 188
BC- 141 BC) and his Empress who died in 126BC. The Emperor
came to the throne in 157 BC and ruled for 16 years.
Liu Qi, following his father, Emperor Liu Heng's advice,
initiated a flourishing period in the Western Han Dynasty
(206 BC- 24 AD). His imperial rule promoted the development
of economy and culture, so he is remembered as a capable
emperor in Chinese history. Construction of the prisoner-built
Emperor's tomb began in 153 BC and was completed in
146 BC. Since it was on the site of Yi Yang County,
the tomb gained its name Yangling. Hanyangling is its
present name after the findings.
Hanyangling is mainly made up of
the tomb of Han Jingdi, tomb of Empress Wang, burial
pits, archaeological exhibitions, criminal graveyard
and some satellite tombs. The mausoleum covers an area
of 10 square kilometers (about 4 square miles); 6 kilometers
(four miles) from east to west and up to 3 kilometers
(two miles) south to north. An east-to-west sacred road
will lead you to the tomb of Jingdi at its western end.
It looks like a topless pyramid standing in the center,
with many satellite tombs strewn in all directions to
protect it. Close beside Yangling lies the tomb of his
Empress Wang, mother of famous Han Wudi (Liu Che) who
was later buried there to accompany her husband. The
whole structure of the mausoleum is an irregular rectangle,
but looks clear and neat. Its construction layout fully
indicates the centralization of the imperial state powers
and their predominant hierarchic ranks.
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