Western Xia tombs

The necropolis of Tangut ( Xixia ) is one of the largest cities of the dead with an extension of about 50 km ². The grave sites are located at the foot of Helan Mountain in Ningxia Autonomous Region, 40 km west of the provincial capital of Yinchuan.

On the previously little-explored terrain there are nine royal tombs and about 250 grave sites of officials and notables of the Tangut. In particular, the 25 to 30 m high, usually enclosed by a wall royal tombs reflect the richness of the Tangut rulers. Inside there are the hand-painted grave chambers and statues.

The investment was made in the early 20th century by European travelers such as Central Asia Sven Hedin and Aurel Stein known and photographed in 1938 by Wulf -Dieter Graf zu Castell first time from the air. Today, Chinese archaeologists are particularly keen to get the building of the plant and to preserve the original condition of the found statuettes and grave chambers.