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jessie_wang | profile | all galleries >> Around the World >> China >> China 2009 >> 帝都西安 Xi'an - City of Emperors >> West 西线 >> Qianling Tomb 乾陵 tree view | thumbnails | slideshow

Qianling Tomb 乾陵

Qianling Mausoleum was built by around 684 AD, as tomb of Emperor Gaozong together with his wife, China's only governing empress Wu Zetian.
The mausoleum is well known for the many stone staues on the spirit path, including tomb gurads, horses, ostriches, winged horses, and so on. Also well-known is the tombstone without script.
The legend said that Wu Zetian ordered her tombstone to be left empty, for the people in the future to be able to criticize her freely.
It is believed that a lot of treasure, including many masterpieces of ancient Chinese calligraphy, still can be found in the tomb, but it is still not fully opened until today.
The Spirit Path
The Spirit Path		 Tomb Guard - Wengzhong
Tomb Guard - Wengzhong		 Pigeon - Decoration on local Houses
Pigeon - Decoration on local Houses		 Tombstone without Script
Tombstone without Script
The 61 foreign Officers
The 61 foreign Officers		 Stone Lion
Stone Lion		 Each one is unique - but destoried
Each one is unique - but destoried		 Only on two the Head is left
Only on two the Head is left
A Stele set up in Qing Dynasty
A Stele set up in Qing Dynasty		 Stone Curving on the Way
Stone Curving on the Way		 Spirit Path seen from the Tomb Hill
Spirit Path seen from the Tomb Hill		 Path to the Top of Tomb Hill
Path to the Top of Tomb Hill
Path back to the Spirit Path
Path back to the Spirit Path		 Two other Tombs can be seen
Two other Tombs can be seen		 Horse Statue
Horse Statue		 Horse and Man Statue
Horse and Man Statue
Ostrich - known from Gift from Africa
Ostrich - known from Gift from Africa		 Ornamental Pillars - to keep Evil away
Ornamental Pillars - to keep Evil away		 Winged Horse Statue
Winged Horse Statue		 Cats playing on the Roof
Cats playing on the Roof
Dragon Head - Roof Decoration
Dragon Head - Roof Decoration		 Spirit Path
Spirit Path

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