Tomb of Emperor Xiaojing of Eastern Wei (Tianzi Mound)

Tomb of Emperor Xiaojing of Eastern Wei (Tianzi Mound)

The Tomb of Emperor Xiaojing of Eastern Wei (Tianzi Mound) is a cultural tourism attraction.

Tianzi Mound is located in Ci County, about 65 kilometers southwest of Handan. It is the tomb of Emperor Xiaojing of Eastern Wei, Yuan Shanjian. Historical records describe Emperor Xiaojing as both literary and martially talented, with noble character. He was later poisoned to death during court intrigue at the age of only 28. His tomb is an earthen mound, topped with the Jade Emperor Hall, as well as the Goddess Temple and Guanyin Temple. Steps at the front and back lead up to the top. The steps are built from blue bricks and white lime, with a rough surface left unfinished, forming evenly spaced, uniform lime grooves resembling piano keys. This creates multiple even surfaces for sound wave reflection and refraction. In addition, the steps are flanked by 1-meter-high rough-surface blue brick guardrails. On the upper right side of the steps stands the Guanyin Pavilion, a building with a flush gable roof and gray tiles, whose roof also forms multiple uniform surfaces for sound wave reflection and refraction.

The entrance to Tianzi Mound faces south. At its top stands a resplendent Jade Emperor Temple, below which a dozen or so temples of various sizes are built, encircling the midsection of the earthen mound in a half-circle. These include the Flower Fairy Temple, Twelve Halls, Hu Ye Temple, Snowflake Cave, Chaoyang Cave, and more than ten other shrines. At the lowest part, the Guan Yu Temple has also been built wherever space allowed. At the bottom of the rear slope of the earthen mound, several plain rooms have been constructed on the left and right sides. Some of them already house spirit tablets, such as that of Lord Bao. Judging by the moisture level of the walls, these structures were built quite recently.

Ascending the steps, you’ll also find shrines such as the “Guanyin Pavilion.” In front of the main tomb lies the enigmatic Hu Ye Temple. Legend has it that during the Ming Dynasty, three brothers surnamed Hu opened over a dozen pharmacies along what is now Wangfujing Street in Beijing (referred to in the story as Hu Jia Street at the time). These pharmacies provided free medicine to the poor and frequently offered free medical consultations, earning praise from the emperor at the time. Later, the three brothers and their wives became immortals and were said to frequently appear and bless the people around the middle reaches of the Zhang River, especially near Tianzi Mound. However, experts note that Wangfujing Street in Beijing has never been called Hu Jia Street.

Tianzi Mound is a place full of historical solemnity and entertainment value. On the 109 musical steps on the north side of the mound, the water sound effect can only be experienced with two or more people. If you’re too close to each other, you won’t hear it—even the person making the noise can't hear the sound of water. Only when two people separate and one makes a sound can the other hear the water-like noise. The louder the sound made, the louder the resulting “water” sound. Any step will do. This creates the musical wonder of ascending the steps accompanied by the sound of tinkling water.

According to locals, Tianzi Mound was once overgrown with weeds and home to flocks of crows. Since the 1990s, with the rise in tourism, the 41-meter-long Musical Steps were “created” in May 1994 along the rear slope of the mound. By 1995, the Jade Emperor Temple had also “appeared” atop the tomb.

Directly south of Tianzi Mound, within the protected heritage area, the Ci County Cultural Relics Preservation Office and Meng Village of Jiawucheng in Ci County jointly developed constructions such as the “Pingyuan Temple.” However, timely intervention by higher authorities halted the project, leaving it unfinished. Nevertheless, numerous altars and incense burners are set up at the entrances of the many temples on Tianzi Mound, with worshippers coming and going in an endless stream to pay their respects and offer incense.

Location: Qiangang Village South, Ci County, Handan City, Hebei Province

Transportation: Take a bus from Ci County headed for Jiawucheng Town, get off at Dongcaozhuang Village, then walk west to Qiangang Village.

Emperor Xiaojing of Eastern Wei, Yuan Shanjian (524 – January 21, 552), of Xianbei ethnicity, was the great-grandson of Emperor Xiaowen of Northern Wei (Yuan Hong), grandson of Prince Wenxian of Qinghe (Yuan Yi), and eldest son of Prince Wenxuan of Qinghe (Yuan ? ?). He was the emperor of Eastern Wei during the Northern and Southern Dynasties period, reigning from 534 to 550.

Yuan Shanjian was handsome in appearance, calm and dignified, and possessed great ambition and composure, leading people to admire his resemblance to Emperor Xiaowen. He was known for his literary and martial talents, strong enough to leap over walls carrying a stone lion, and a skilled archer who never missed his mark. While hunting, he would ride at great speed. He also had a love for literature and often commissioned ministers to compose poetry during festive banquets, earning him much respect at court. At the time, when Prince Wenxian of Qi succeeded to power, he was deeply wary... More details on Emperor Yuan Shanjian ++