唐代帝陵

　　Along the mountain areas in the northern side of Wei River, a branch of Yellow River, numerous hills and ridges and peaks, covered with the verdant pine trees and emerald green cypresses, rise high disorderly in the air. In the distance of every ten miles, the big graves hidden inside the hills standing isolated above the ground, are all the historical remains of the Tang Dynasty (618 -907).The Imperial remains of the burial tombs and accessory buildings, in a form designed to evoke the capital city, Chang'an of Tang Empire, are scattered, one after another, all over the open country, like stars in the sky. The great Tang Dynasty witnessed 21 emperors being enthroned, 19 of them were buried on the hilltops in Guanzhong Plain, the central area and the most cultivated place of Shaanxi province. The other two tombs of Emperor Zhaozong (Li Ye) and Emperor Aidi (Li Zhu), were situated, respectively, in Yanshi county, Henan province (Heling mausoleum), and Heze city, Shandong province (Wenling mausoleum). The 19 emperors were buried in 18 tombs, for two of them were buried in one tomb, Wu Zetian, the only empress in the Chinese history was jointly buried with her husband, Gao Zong, the third emperor of Tang Dynasty. Traditionally, people call “18 tombs of the Tang Dynasty in Guanzhong plain or the northern bank of Wei River. ”The 18 mausoleums were distributed in a large scope, crossing the boundaries of six counties, starting from Qianxian County in the west, passing through four counties including Liquan, Jingyang, Sanyuan, and Fuping, running farthest to the east of Pucheng County. The whole areas totally extend 150km, from west to east, and geographically forming a natural shape of a fan cover in 102 degree, with Chang'an as the core part, stretching northwards until the Wei River.
　　According to the historical records, when empress Wende, the wife of Taizong, the second emperor of Tang Dynasty, died of illness in the tenth year of Zhenguan reign (636),Taizong chose the highest peak of Mt. Jiuzong, 80km from Xi'an as the tomb site by himself, named Zhaoling. Derived from the old admonition that “no state will survive forever and no tomb will be safe against robbery and plunder”, Taizong ordered to bury his Empress in accordance with her own will that she would be buried against the mountain and the funeral should be economical, not so extravagant. Building her tomb inside a mountain not only realized the empress' wish that she will rest eternally inside a mountain with a few burial objects, but also dismantle the predatory attempt of tomb robbers.
　　Taking the mountains as the tomb sites means choosing a natural peak of the mountains, chiseling a hole (tunnel) through from the outside inwards to make a passage in the middle part of the southeast side of the hill. At the foot of the mountain was built the underground palace with stones, spacious and splendid, almost the same as that of Chang'an city. The complex is imposing, magnificent, demonstrating the highly developed society of that time, especially the politics, economics, culture, and art. Among the 18 mausoleums, 14 were constructed inside the hilltops, whereas the other four were built in the shape of the Pyramids, forming a mould with accumulated earth above the ground, and hidden in the green mountains. Only two emperors, Taizong (Li Shimin) and Xuanzong (Li Longji) chose the tomb sites by themselves in their life times, but the other 12 tomb sites were appointed by the successor emperors after their predecessors passed away.
　　The archaeological excavations have revealed numerous gems of artistic values, including the superb stone sculptures of amazing size, the variegated tomb figures, painted cavalrymen with armors and helmets, the mural paintings of dazzling beauty from the passageways and coffin chambers, etc. These mausoleums have been restored and beautified, and now, have become the tourism attractions for people to understand the Chinese history, disseminate the national culture, appreciate the historical remains, and seek for scenic spots. This book will guide you to explore, to adventure, to discover, to experience, and to enjoy the colorful Tang tomb culture.
　　

唐代帝王陵墓（修订本）/刘向阳著．—西安：三秦出版社，2012