Han Changling
Changling was built in the second year after Liu Bang proclaimed himself emperor, and its layout imitated Chang'an. The tombs of Emperor Gaozu Liu Bang and Empress Lü are of equal size. There are many other tombs located next to Changling, such as Xiao He, Cao Can, Zhou Bo, Zhou Yafu, etc. When Liu Bang was alive, he moved to the place of the nobility to guard the mausoleum. The palace people in the tomb, like the Emperor and Empress during their lifetime, respectfully served meals four times a day. The lights in the mausoleum were always on, just like when Gaozu was alive, except that he can no longer be alive now.
Han Yang Ling
Compared with other tombs, the Han Yang Ling Tomb is more distinctive. It features a glass corridor that allows us to see various relics excavated from the underground museum. The Han Yang Ling Tomb is a mysterious underground kingdom, and the types of pottery figurines unearthed here are diverse, including warrior figurines, female figurines, eunuch figurines, and livestock figurines. From the clothing, poses, and expressions of these figurines, we can see the cultural values upheld by society at that time, reflecting both the absence of authoritarian power and the cultural characteristics of Confucianism and Taoism. When visiting the Han Yang Ling Museum, everyone can clearly see that the pottery figurines have a more gentle expression compared to the solemn Terracotta Warriors of the Qin Dynasty. At the same time, from the ox figurines unearthed at Han Yang Ling, we can also understand the economic situation and dietary characteristics of the Han Dynasty. The Han Yang Ling pottery figurines are the most direct historical and political materials that differentiate them from the Terracotta Warriors of Emperor Qin Shi Huang and the Tang Dynasty pottery figurines, and they serve as the main basis for studying a series of historical events during the Han Dynasty.
Han Mausoleum
The Maoling Tomb of Emperor Wu of Han, Liu Che, is the largest imperial tomb in Western Han Dynasty. Emperor Wu of Han was the fifth emperor of the Western Han Dynasty and ruled for fifty-four years. He dedicated his life to governance, implementing his own unique Confucian ideology, and successfully eliminated the threat of the Xiongnu. He consolidated and unified the multi-ethnic groups, establishing the prosperous era of Emperor Wu. During his reign, China experienced its greatest period of unity. However, in the process of eliminating the Xiongnu, Emperor Wu implemented state control over salt and iron, resulting in a difficult life for the people. As a ruler, it is not only important to maintain stability but also to ensure the well-being of the people. Therefore, his achievements and drawbacks are both present. According to historical records, Maoling Tomb was built in 53 AD with one-third of the national tax revenue allocated annually for its construction. As a result, the tomb is grand and unprecedented in scale, earning the nickname "Eastern Pyramid." Additionally, Maoling Tomb contains the largest number of burial objects among the Han Dynasty tombs. Despite experiencing three large-scale tomb robberies in history, the tomb still yielded a rich collection of artifacts, including over 200 precious items such as gilded bronze horses and gilt-silver bamboo-shaped incense burners.
Hanping Mausoleum
The Peace Mausoleum is the joint burial site of Emperor Zhao of Han, Liu Fuling, and Empress Xiaozhao, Guan Hou. It is called "Pingling" because it is located on the edge of a plain. Liu Fuling, the son of Emperor Wu of Han, Liu Che, and Zhao Jieyu, ascended the throne at the age of 8 in 186 BC. During his reign, there were internal conflicts, including the rebellion of King Xiaozhuang and border rebels, as well as external threats from the Xiongnu. Moreover, there was the dominance of the regent Huo Guang within the royal court. In the year 174 BC, at the age of 21, Liu Fuling died mysteriously in the Weiyang Palace and was buried in the Pingling Mausoleum.
Hanyangling
Tombs are divided into three parts: cemetery, mausoleum, and burial area. Various burial tombs have been excavated, and colored pottery, warrior figurines, dancing figurines, and animal figurines have been unearthed from the tombs. From these colored pottery, we can see the social appearance, living conditions, and clothing of the people in the Han Dynasty. From the expressions of these figurines, we can see that Anling was the first tomb to discover a parallel moat and city wall, and many of the pottery figurines unearthed from Anling are worth seeing.
