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The Linzi Tombs Cluster

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Period: Zhou to Han A cluster of noble tombs, totaling over 150, is located within and around the ancient city of Linzi. These tombs date back to the Western Zhou, Eastern Zhou, and Han dynasties, and most of their occupants were rulers or nobles such as dukes and marquises. Notable examples include the symbolic tomb of Jiang Taigong, the Twin Kings’ Tombs, the Four Kings’ Tombs, the Tomb of Guan Zhong, and the Three Gentlemen’s Tomb (related to the historical tale “Two Peaches Kill Three Men” featuring three warriors). Other tombs in the cluster include those of Tian Dan and the Western Han Kings of Qi. Many of the burial mounds still feature prominent earthen structures — for instance, the Four Kings’ Tombs, situated about 1.5 kilometers southeast of the ancient Qi city, have square bases and round tops, standing 100 to 120 meters high. They are said to represent the four kings of the Qi State during the Warring States period: King Wei, King Xuan, King Min, and King Xiang, hence the name. The sizes of the other tomb mounds vary; some are less than 10 meters high, resembling small hills, while others have been leveled over time, likely due to later generations’ activities.

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The Linzi Tombs Cluster is a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

Period: Zhou to Han

Within and around the ancient city of Linzi lies a cluster of noble tombs, numbering more than 150. These tombs date from the Western Zhou, Eastern Zhou, and Han periods, and most of their occupants were royalty or nobility, such as kings and lords. Notable tombs include the symbolic tomb of Jiang Taigong, the Twin Kings’ Tombs, the Four Kings’ Tombs, the Tomb of Guan Zhong, the Three Gentlemen’ Tomb (linked to the historical story “Two Peaches Kill Three Men” involving three warriors), the Tomb of Tian Dan, and the Western Han Tombs of the Kings of Qi. Many of the mounds still have large earthen structures. For example, the Four Kings’ Tombs, located 1.5 kilometers southeast of the ancient Qi city, feature square bases and rounded tops, reaching heights of 100 to 120 meters. They are said to represent the four Qi kings of the Warring States period — King Wei, King Xuan, King Min, and King Xiang — hence the name “Four Kings’ Tombs.” The sizes of the other mounds vary; some are under 10 meters tall, looking like small hills, and some no longer have visible mounds, likely having been leveled in later times.

Excavations at the Western Han tombs in the Linzi Tombs Cluster, including five accompanying pits of the Tomb of the King of Qi at Dawuwotuo Village in Linzi, have yielded a rich array of artifacts — over 12,000 items in total — many of which are exquisite, such as gold-inlaid silver trays and gold-inlaid bronze incense burners.

Added to the seventh batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units in May 2013.