The Yangling Mausoleum of the Han Dynasty (Hanyangling) is located at Xianyang district, about 20 kilometers (12 miles) north of Xi’an, Shaanxi Province. It is a joint tomb of Liu Qi, a notable emperor of the Western Han Dynasty (206 BC-24AD), and his empress, Empress Wang.  Emperor Jing of Han or Liuqi,  the sixth emperor of the western Han dynasty, together with his father  Emperor Wen of Han created the peaceful and prosperous "The Rule of Wen and Jing". It was the first-ever golden age in Chinese history characterized by benevolence and thriftiness of the emperors, reduction in tax and other burdens on the people, pacifism, and general stability.

Emperor Jing of Han

It was built in the year 153 BC and covers an area of 20 square kilometers (4,942 acres). It is a magnificent and abundant cultural relic, comprising the emperor’s tomb, empress’ tomb, the south and north burial pits, ceremonial site, human sacrifice graveyard, and criminals’ cemetery. Neatly arranged and centered with the emperor’s tomb, it reveals the strict hierarchical social structure. The Outside Pits Exhibition Hall is the most attractive part of the Mausoleum and is the first underground museum in China. 

Outside Pits Exhibition Hall

This underground museum covers an area of about 7,850 square meters (2 acres). It has been modernized to exhibit ten outside pits surrounding the emperor’s tomb but does not devalue the look of the mausoleum.           

To protect the culture relic, the pits are encased with toughened glass to create a similar environment as it was before. Suspended corridors made of glass make it more convenient for visitors to be able to take a closer look. Through the glass on the right, on the left or underfoot, visitors can see pottery warriors, animals, chariots and horses, and the archaeologists excavating. A kind of imaging technique concerning optical illusion has been applied in the museum. Through the illusionary characters and scenes, the life of Liu Qi, the anecdote of Empress Wang and the archaeological discoveries in the mausoleum are presented.  

In the 1,600 square meter exhibition room, there are 1,800 pieces of cultural relics excavated in recent years. Let's see what unique discoveries are there ~

Pottery figurines are integral ones with clay arms and clothes. Among the pottery figurines unearthed from the Hanyangling, the most famous is the sitting female figurine.  

In the Hanyangling, we can find many female figurines like this one. They have thin bodies and quiet and subtle expressions, which are completely different from the graceful, rich and plump charm of the ladies of the Tang Dynasty.

Compared with terracotta warriors and horses of the Qin dynasty with cold facial expressions, clay figurines unearthed in Hanyangling have a mysterious smile, which seems to express the happiness of living in the golden age. 

              

The most representative cultural relics in the Han Yang Mausoleum are pottery figurines with a height of about 60 cm and naked arms. Although these pottery figurines are only one-third the size of real people, they have beautiful shapes and fine workmanship.

Seeing these pottery figurines, you may wonder how why all these pottery figurines are naked? Why should nude clay figurines be named clothed clay figurines? Where are their clothes?

In fact, more than 2,000 years ago, these pottery figurines were all wearing silk or linen clothing, with wooden arms on their shoulders, so they were called "clothed figurines".  However, two thousand years have taken their clothing and wooden arms away.

The most adorable pottery figurines unearthed from the Hanyangling must be cute animal figurines, including cattle, sheep, pigs, dogs, and chickens, and of course horses for the Han Dynasty army. The hordes of pottery pigs and pottery sheep have reflected the prosperity under the reign of Emperor Jing of Han.

Among pottery figurines, a pregnant pig is particularly noticeable. It has a big belly and looks quite lovely. It is speculated that the pig is to express that even in the underground world, animals of the Han Dynasty can continue to breed and live.

Do you think that the Hanyangling only has high-end cultural relic protection technology and amazing pottery figurines? Guess what? The Hanlingling is surrounded by a large ginkgo garden, which is a good place to enjoy the golden autumn scenery. You can come and see cultural relics at any time and admire ginkgo and take amazing pictures in the autumn. All in all, Hanyangling  is worth a visit ~