Qianling: Tomb of Prince Zhanghuai

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		-- Famen Temple -- Maoling Mausoleum -- Mt. Huashan -- Qianling Tomb -- Tomb of Crown Prince Zhanghuai -- Tomb of Crown Prince Yide -- Tomb of Huo Qubing -- Tomb of Princess Yongtai -- Xianyang Terra-Cotta Museum -- Zhaoling Tomb

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Tomb of Crown Prince Zhanghuai

Simlar with the Tomb of Princess Yongtai, the Tomb of Prince Zhanghuai also has tunnels, tomb chambers, and a collection of buried articles.

Prince Zhanghuai's Death

Prince Zhanghuai - Li Xian, the second son of Emperor Gaozong and Empress Wu Zetian was comparatively talented among Gaozong's children. Li Xian once summoned famous scholars to annotate The Historical Records of the Later Han dynasty. The book referred to the historical fact that Lu Hou, wife of Emperor Gaozu, founder of the Han dynasty, pushed out courtiers and usurped the supreme power of the court after her husband's death. Wu Zetian thought it a taunt of her and tried to persecute Li Xian. Later when she discovered weapons hidden in the Easter Palace where Xi Xian lived, Empress Wu deprived him of the title of crown prince and exiled him to Bazhou (present-day Bazhong County, in Sichuan province), on the pretext that he had hidden weapons secretly and plotted a rebellion. In 648 AD, Li Xian died mysteriously in Bazhou at the age of 31. After Emperor Zhongzong returned to the throne, he had Li Xian's remains buried near Qianling. In 706 AD, after Wu Zetian's death, Li Xian was awarded the title of Crown Prince Zhanghuai.

The structure of the tomb is basically the same as those of Princess Yongtai, only a bit smaller in scale. The tomb consists of a long, sloping tomb tunnel, 71 meters long, 3.3 meters wide and 7 meters high, four skylights, six niches, a brick corridor, an antechamber and a burial chamber. Over 600 unearthed articles ceramic and tri-color figurines and burial articles were most impressive. The life-like sand warriors figures 1 meter high are also noteworthy. 50 murals in the tomb remained basically intact. Among these charming paintings Courtiers and Foreign Envoys, Hunting Procession, Polo Game and Watching Birds and Catching Cicadas demonstrate superb artistic achievements of the Tang dynasty.

Polo Game - the painting in tomb tunnel depicts picture of playing Polo. Polo was introduced to China from Persia (present-day Iran) in the Tang dynasty and became popular at the royal court. Polo grounds were built in imperial palaces and paddocks. It gradually diminished towards the end of the Ming dynasty. With mallets in their hands, the five at the head are trying to chase the ball. One of them hit the ball dexterously with strong and vigorous posture. This painting conjures up the excitement and thrilling spectacle of players.

The painting of Courtiers and Foreign Envoys on the eastern wall, in the middle of the tomb tunnel vividly reproduces two enthusiastic Tang officials with three foreign envoys from India, Korea and the Tujue tribe followed in exotic clothes. It reflects the active exchange of friendly and diplomatic visits between China and foreign countries in the Tang dynasty.

Watching Birds and Catching Cicadas on the western wall of the antechamber depicts the life of the maids in the imperial palace. The elder one seems contemplative looking out of the window with the other two watching birds and catching cicadas.

Admission: 5 (RMB)