The Wangjiafeng Tomb Cluster

The Wangjiafeng Tomb Cluster

The Wangjiafeng Tomb Cluster is a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

The Wangjiafeng Tomb Cluster (Sixth Batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units)

Era: Northern and Southern Dynasties

Located on Wangmupo Slope east of Wangjiafeng Village, Haozhuang Township, Haozhuang District, the cluster currently includes three Northern Qi tombs, with the Tomb of Xu Xianxiu being the most intact. It features a rammed-earth mound and a single-chamber domed brick-vault structure, comprising five parts: the passageway, entrance tunnel, courtyard, corridor, and main chamber. Most of the burial objects were found in the chamber. The murals inside the main chamber are remarkably well-preserved and offer valuable insights into the burial customs and systems of the late Northern Dynasties, as well as the history of cultural exchange between China and the West. In addition, multiple tombs from the late Northern Dynasties have been discovered in the Dongshan area, many of significant rank, reflecting the important position of the Taiyuan region during the Eastern Wei and Northern Qi periods and highlighting the influence of Western Region culture and the blending of ethnic cultures.

The Wangjiafeng Tomb Cluster is located on Wangmupo Slope east of Wangjiafeng Village, Haozhuang Township, Yingze District, Taiyuan City, Shanxi Province. It includes the Tomb of Xu Xianxiu, the Tomb of Di Zhan, and the Tomb of Kou Diye, among others, with the Tomb of Xu Xianxiu being the most intact.

The Tomb of Xu Xianxiu features a rammed-earth mound and a single-chamber domed brick-vault structure consisting of a passageway, entrance tunnel, courtyard, corridor, and main chamber. Most of the burial objects, totaling over 500 pieces, were discovered in the chamber. These include more than 320 pottery figurines and approximately 200 ceramic items. Among the finds is a gold ring inlaid with gemstones originating from Central Asia or even the Mediterranean, which provides deep insight into the cultural exchanges between China and foreign civilizations.

The most distinctive feature of this tomb is the colorful murals covering nearly the entire interior, which remain largely intact and span approximately 330 square meters. The murals are divided between the passageway and the main chamber, with those in the chamber split into upper and lower sections. The upper section depicts an astronomical chart, while the lower section wraps around all four walls, illustrating scenes from the tomb owner’s daily life. The north wall features a banquet scene; the west wall shows the tomb owner preparing for a journey; the east wall depicts his wife preparing for a trip; and the south wall, around the doorway, continues the narrative from the east and west walls. The Tomb of Xu Xianxiu is currently the most complete large-scale mural tomb from the same period that has been discovered. The intact chamber murals provide important material for studying the construction practices of tombs from this era, their influence on the tomb systems of the Sui and Tang dynasties, and the development of tomb mural art.

In addition, multiple tombs from the late Northern Dynasties have been found in the Dongshan area, many of significant rank, reflecting the important position of the Taiyuan region during the Eastern Wei and Northern Qi periods and highlighting the influence of Western Region culture and the blending of ethnic cultures.

In May 2006, the Wangjiafeng Tomb Cluster, recognized as a group of ancient tombs from the Northern and Southern Dynasties, was approved by the State Council to be included in the Sixth Batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units.

Address: Wangjiafeng Village, Haozhuang Township, Yingze District, Taiyuan City

Further Reading:

· Sixth Batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units