Tomb Cluster of the Liao Dynasty at Yemotai

Tomb Cluster of the Liao Dynasty at Yemotai

The Tomb Cluster of the Liao Dynasty at Yemotai is a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

The Tomb Cluster of the Liao Dynasty at Yemotai is located on the slopes of the northwestern part of Yemotai Village and the northern mountain in Faku County. It is the burial site of Xiao Yi, a chancellor of the Liao Dynasty, and his family. The tombs feature diverse architectural styles and contain a wealth of cultural relics, making them highly significant for the study of Liao Dynasty history and the customs of the Khitan people.

Yemotai Town boasts a long history and numerous notable figures. The nationally famous "Tomb Cluster of the Liao Dynasty" is located on Shengji Mountain within the town. In 2001, it was designated as a National Cultural Relics Protection Unit. This site is a high-quality, thematically prominent historical relic from the Liao and Jin periods, integrating scientific research, education, and tourism.

Based on archaeological excavations, the tomb cluster is relatively concentrated on the lower southern slope of Shengji Mountain, situated in a feng shui location known as the "yang side of Shengji." The exact number of tombs and the noble ranks of their occupants remain difficult to determine. To date, 23 tombs have been excavated, the most significant of which is the tomb of Xiao Yi, a chancellor of the Northern Liao Government during the Liao Dynasty. A large number of unearthed cultural relics have been found in the excavated tombs, including stone inscriptions, murals, silk paintings, stone coffins, and tents. Among them, two silk paintings — “Game in the Deep Mountains” and “Rustic Charm of Suburban Gardens” — have shocked the archaeological community both in China and abroad. These relics hold significant value for the study of the history of the Liao and Jin periods and the frontier regions, especially the culture of the Khitan people.

Further Reading:

· Fourth Batch of Cultural Relics Protection Units of Liaoning Province

· Fifth Batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units