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Wei-Jin TombsHeritagePhoto Wikimedia Commons

Wei-Jin Tombs

Gansu · China

8 story sections

Later, continue sightseeing and head to Wei and Jin Ancient Tombs where you will see one of the tombs that has colorful brick carving depicting the daily life of 1,500 years ago. After you have explored the tombs, you will be transferred back to your hotel in Jiayuguang where this private day trip concluded.

History & cultureBY TELLBY

Contents

8 sections · tap a section for its opening lines
  1. 1Wei-Jin Mural Tombs

    Welcome to the Wei-Jin Mural Tombs, often hailed by archaeologists and historians as the 'World's Largest Underground Art Gallery.' You are standing in a vast desert necropolis that contains over 1,000 ancient tombs dating back…

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  2. 2The Desert Necropolis — 1,000 Tombs Under Sand

    As you look across this 13-square-kilometer stretch of the Gobi, the landscape is dotted with small, nondescript mounds of earth. These are the markers of the Wei-Jin tombs. …

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  3. 3The Zhao Qiang — The Gateway of Symbols

    At the entrance to the tomb chamber, you are greeted by the 'Zhao Qiang,' or the spirit screen wall. In ancient Chinese architecture, these walls were designed to block direct sightlines into the inner sanctum, a practice rooted…

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  4. 4The Front Chamber — A Feast for the Eyes

    Entering the front chamber, we find ourselves in what would be the 'courtyard' or 'service area' of an ancient household. The murals here are focused on the practical aspects of living well. …

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  5. 5The Middle Chamber — Social Hierarchy and Sericulture

    Moving into the middle chamber, we enter the 'living room' or 'reception hall.' This was the space for entertaining guests and displaying status. The murals here shift from the preparation of food to the consumption of it and the…

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  6. 6The Rear Chamber — The Eternal Sanctuary

    We finally reach the rear chamber, the most private and sacred part of the tomb. This was the 'bedroom' of the afterlife, where the coffins of the official and his wife were placed. …

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  7. 7Culinary Heritage — The BBQ Connection

    As we conclude our journey through the tomb, I want to bring your attention back to a theme that resonates through the entire Hexi Corridor: the food. The murals of people roasting meat on skewers are more than just artistic…

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  8. 8Closing

    As we emerge from the cool depths of Tomb Number 6 back into the vast, sun-drenched Gobi desert, take a moment to reflect on what we have witnessed. We have traveled through an 'underground art gallery' that has preserved the…

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What is Wei-Jin Tombs?

Wei-Jin Tombs is a place in Gansu · China with 8 story sections on Tellby. You can read the opening of each section on this page; the sound plays in the app.

Key facts
LocationGansu · China
TypeHeritage
Story sections8
Text languageEnglish
Coordinates39.8792, 98.4603
Last updated
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