Splendid Imperial Mausoleum of Xixia

The Imperial Mausoleum of Xixia is located at the foot of Helan Mountain, 30 kilometers west of Yinchuan, Ningxia Hui autonomous region. Known as the Oriental Pyramid, the imperial Mausoleum of Xixia is one of the largest existing Emperor Mausoleums in China. It is also one of the best-preserved Emperor Mausoleums in China. The Imperial Mausoleum of Xixia (1038-1227) covers an area of nearly 50 square kilometers; it is 10 kilometers from south to north and 4 kilometers from east to west. As a burial complex, it includes nine imperial mausoleums and 250 tombs of imperial relatives and officials. Each tomb yard of the mausoleum is a complete architectural group, with a floor area of over 100, 000 square meters. The ground buildings consist of turrets, gates, stele pavilions, outer city, inner city and divine walls. The general layout of the buildings is arranged in a chess-board form, symmetric between the left and right. [Photo/chinapic.people.com.cn]