Tomb of Emperor Taizu of Liao

Tomb of Emperor Taizu of Liao

The Tomb of Emperor Taizu of Liao is a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

The Tomb of Emperor Taizu of Liao is located in Lindong Town, Bairin Left Banner. It is the mausoleum of Yelü Abaoji, the founding emperor of the Liao Dynasty. Surrounded by towering ancient trees and babbling streams, it is a serene and tranquil place.

The Tomb of Emperor Taizu of Liao consists of two parts: the burial area and the memorial town of Zuzhou. The mountain gate of the burial area ingeniously incorporates a natural valley, showcasing a uniquely ingenious design. The original above-ground structures were grand and magnificent but were later destroyed, leaving only remnants such as bricks, tiles, and stone tablets. From the surviving stone carvings, one can observe the characteristics of Khitan culture from the Liao Dynasty—simple yet exquisite, elegant and natural—serving as important material for studying the history of the Khitan people.

The Tomb of Emperor Taizu of Liao is situated in the Dabulage Valley, Shifangzi Village, Hadayingge Sumu, Bairin Left Banner, Chifeng City. Legend has it that this was the birthplace of the Khitan ancestors, and Emperor Taizu Yelü Abaoji was buried here after his death. It is located northwest of Shifangzi Village, Bairin Left Banner. To guard and worship the mausoleum of Emperor Taizu, a memorial town was established, with the tomb situated about 2 kilometers northwest of the town in a valley. The town wall consists of an inner and outer city, oriented southeast. The outer city has a circumference of approximately 2 kilometers, with remnants of walls about 6 meters high. Four gate sites still remain, and the traces of barbicans can still be seen at the east and north gates. The inner city only has a southern wall, roughly the same height as the outer wall, with a grand gate in the center. Inside the gate are the foundations of several large ceremonial halls and sacrificial halls. In the northwest corner, there is a surviving stone house built from granite slabs, standing 3.5 meters high, 6.7 meters wide, and 4.8 meters deep. The entire structure uses only seven large stone slabs—an architectural rarity among ancient Chinese buildings and the only remaining stone chamber from the Liao Dynasty. Outside the southern gate of the inner city, there is a broad avenue leading directly to the southern gate of the outer city, about 40 meters wide. On both sides of the avenue and to its west are the foundations of two groups of small building complexes, constructed with stone bases. Their layout is relatively neat, forming the residential area for tomb guards, which covers a larger area than the town itself. This site is a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

Yelü Abaoji (872–September 6, 926), of the Yelü clan, personal name Yì, childhood name Chuòlǐzhī, was the founding emperor of the Liao Dynasty. He was a native of Yelü Mili in Xiàlài Yìshíliè Township, Diele Department of the Khitan people, and the eldest son of Liao Dezhu Yelü Sala. His birth mother was Empress Xuanjian of the Xiao clan.

Yelü Abaoji was brave, skilled in archery and horseback riding, and had a keen understanding of worldly affairs. He united the other seven Khitan tribes. He appointed Han Chinese such as Han Yanhui, established laws, reformed customs, created Khitan culture, and developed agriculture and commerce. In 916 (the second year of the Zhenming era of the Later Liang Dynasty), ministers and vassal states bestowed upon him the title of “Great Sage, Great Bright, Divine and Martial Heavenly Emperor.” He established the era name Shence. He reigned for two... More details about Yelü Abaoji ++

Lindong Town: Lindong Town is the seat of the Bairin Left Banner government. It is located in the central part of Bairin Left Banner, 270 kilometers from Hongshan District, the seat of the Chifeng Municipal People's Government. It lies between 43°57′–44°00′ north latitude and 119°21′–119°25′ east longitude. To the northeast, it borders Baiyingu, Huajialaga, Fengshuishan, and Shisan'aobao townships; to the southwest, it neighbors Halahada, Hadayingge, and Baiyinaobao townships. The total area is 366.09 square kilometers, with 148,800 mu of forest land and a forest coverage rate of 29.6%. The entire region is semi-mountainous and semi-plains, featuring a temperate continental monsoon climate. Annual... More details about Lindong Town ++