Xian Qian Mausoleum Photo Gallery

Qian Mausoleum is one of many burial grounds for the Tang dynasty emperors. This one is home to Empress Wu Zetian and her husband, Emperor Gaozong.
The story of Wu Zetian is quite interesting. She actually ruled from 690-705, rising from concubine to empress. She was already in the palace during emperor Taizong's rule, but continued to serve his heir, Gaozong. She became his favourite, and she eliminated her rivals to become empress by 655. She further eliminated her political opponents ruthlessly and as Gaozong became ill, he relied on her to continue to rule the empire until his death in 683. Gaozong's sons came and went in subsequent years and Wu Zetian took the throne in 690 at age 65.
The mausoleum is a huge site, perched on top of a hill overlooking the surrounding plain about 80km northwest of the city.

Princess Yongtai's tomb is located just off the main mausoleum. The original wall paintings have been removed and put on display at the Shaanxi Provincial Museum in Xian for a hefty price of 300 yuan. What lies in the tomb today are replicas.

Various treasures were found from the unearthed tombs in this area.

The main part of the mausoleum consists of this grand boulevard entrance, lined with animal and human statues on both sides.

This blank tablet was believed to have been reserved to commemorate Empress Wu Zetian's achievements. There are inscriptions on it today, but they were made by subsequent visitors.

Gaozong's tomb is in the hills further beyond.

These statues depict emissaries from abroad that came to the emperor's funeral.

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Qian Mausoleum is one of many burial grounds for the Tang dynasty emperors. This one is home to Empress Wu Zetian and her husband, Emperor Gaozong. The story of Wu Zetian is quite interesting. She actually ruled from 690-705, rising from concubine to empress. She was already in the palace during emperor Taizong's rule, but continued to serve his heir, Gaozong. She became his favourite, and she eliminated her rivals to become empress by 655. She further eliminated her political opponents ruthlessly and as Gaozong became ill, he relied on her to continue to rule the empire until his death in 683. Gaozong's sons came and went in subsequent years and Wu Zetian took the throne in 690 at age 65. The mausoleum is a huge site, perched on top of a hill overlooking the surrounding plain about 80km northwest of the city.
Princess Yongtai's tomb is located just off the main mausoleum. The original wall paintings have been removed and put on display at the Shaanxi Provincial Museum in Xian for a hefty price of 300 yuan. What lies in the tomb today are replicas.







Various treasures were found from the unearthed tombs in this area.









The main part of the mausoleum consists of this grand boulevard entrance, lined with animal and human statues on both sides.
















This blank tablet was believed to have been reserved to commemorate Empress Wu Zetian's achievements. There are inscriptions on it today, but they were made by subsequent visitors.








Gaozong's tomb is in the hills further beyond.

These statues depict emissaries from abroad that came to the emperor's funeral.