Tombs of the Kings of the Rencheng Kingdom of the Eastern Han Dynasty

　　    Near Xiao Wangzhuang in the northern suburbs of Jining City, there originally stood nine large earthen mounds, irregularly arranged like hills and mounds, commonly known to locals as the "Nine Maidens’ Tombs" or "...". Due to years of erosion and human damage, only four of the mounds remain. According to relevant data, these mounds are the tombs of the kings of the Rencheng Kingdom of the Eastern Han Dynasty and their consorts. In 1977, they were listed among the first batch of key cultural relics protection units in Shandong Province.

　　　　    With approval from the higher cultural relics authorities, from 1992 to 1995, the Jining Cultural Relics Bureau conducted rescue excavations and restorations on Tomb No. 1, recreating the magnificent underground palace of the Eastern Han royal tomb.

　　　　    Although Tomb No. 1 of Xiao Wangzhuang had been looted, a significant number of cultural relics were still unearthed, three of which are classified as national first-class artifacts. Of particular importance are the nearly 800 inscribed stone slabs on the burial chamber walls, marking a major archaeological discovery of the Han Dynasty in China. The inscriptions mainly record the hometowns and names of the stonemasons and stone suppliers. The calligraphy style is folk-style Han clerical script, characterized by straightforwardness, vigor, and strength, representing typical examples of popular clerical script from the Eastern Han period. These inscriptions hold significant value for the study of the evolution of ancient Chinese characters and calligraphic art.

　　    Tomb No. 1 of Xiao Wangzhuang is the first restored and opened example among the Eastern Han imperial tombs excavated in China to date, and it is also the one with the largest number of inscribed stones among known Han Dynasty tombs, making it extremely precious. Since its opening in 1996, it has attracted a large number of Chinese and foreign scholars and tourists.

　　

　　    Transportation: Take bus No. 16 and get off at the terminal station.