Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor

Introducing Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor, Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor Guide.
Article from Xi'an Municipal Commission of Tourism

Speaking of Qin's Terracotta Warriors and Horses, I dare say that most people definitely have heard about it or even have paid a visit. Its grandeur and mystery really overwhelm you. However, people could have neglected the yet unexcavated Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor due to all this. Actually, the Museum of Terracotta Warriors forms only part of the tomb. Greater things are yet to come.

Qin Shi Huangdi (259 BC - 210 BC), the first emperor of China, ascended the throne at the age of 13, when construction of his tomb began. On completion of his many conquests, he ordered 720,000 conscript laborers to hurry up on building his royal tomb. It was finished just-in-time in 210 BC for his use. His son, the second Qin Emperor,saw to his entombment.

Location
The Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor is located in the eastern suburbs of Lintong County, 35 kilometers (22 miles) east of Xian: on the Lishan Mountain in the south and overlooking the Wei River towards north. The lay of the land from Lishan to Mount Hua is shaped dragon-like according to traditional Chinese geomancy. The imperial Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor is at the eye of the dragon. The emperor had chosen well.

The Historical Records
Sima Qian, a great historian who wrote in early Han dynasty, offered archeologists great insight on the mausoleum's construction. We learned from him that the tomb is huge. The coffin of Emperor Qin Shihuang was cast in bronze. Underground Palace was gem-studded replica of imperial housing above ground. Moreover, booby traps with automatic-shooting arrows were installed to deter would-be tomb robbers. Heaven and earth were represented in the central chamber of the tomb. Ceiling shaped into sun, moon and stars by inlaying pearls and gems symbolizes the sky and the ground was an accumulation point of rivers, lakes and seas, like Yellow River and Yangtze River, which stands for the earth. It is said that the underground palace was brightly lit by whale oil lamps for eternity. Nowadays, the records in this book have been definitely proved right by archaeological findings and the underground palace of the tomb is presumably well preserved.

Remains of the Mausoleum
As a part of the Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor, the terracotta warriors have dazzled the world. But the materials unexcavated are also worth studying. Qin bricks and tiles, engraved with decorative patterns, are strew everywhere around the tomb. There are many satellite tombs built for accompanying Qin Shihuang. Ministers, princesses and princes, the famous and the not so famous were inhumed there. The burial pits for horses, rare birds and pottery figures were ever regarded as the sacrificial objects to the Emperor. Hence the remains from these tombs and pits are beneficial for archaeologists to make further research.

Hopefully one day, the entire Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor will be unearthed and displayed to the public.

Quick Facts on Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor

• Name: Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor
• Location: 35 Km East of Xi'an
• Phone: +86-29-87630166
• Dates: Qin Dynasty (246BC-208BC)
• Best Time to Visit: April to October
• Recommended Time for a Visit: 3 Hours
• Opening Hours: 08:30-17:30
• Admission Fee: CNY 150 (April to October), CNY 120 (November to March of next year)