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The Yong Mausoleum on Fuqin Dong Road in Chengdu houses emperor Wang Jian's burial. When living (847-918) Wang Jian made the Former Shu dynasty, capital at Chengdu, the most governable and powerful among the Five Dynasties and Ten States.

The Mausoleum departs from similar structures by its being built right in the city, and accessible from ground level.

The mausoleum has a circular base that measures 80 meters (262 feet) diameter, and it stands 15 meters (49.2feet) tall with 14 archways of gray bricks. The largest brick measures 69x44x18 cent meters (27x17x7 inches) and holds the size record for above ground buildings. It is an important Chinese architecture.

Wooden doors partition the burial chamber into three parts. The coffin rests in the middle chamber on a coffin bed. Murals of 24 musicians with regional instruments are carved into stone on three sides of the bed. These are the only known court musical band images unearthed from the Tang Dynasty period.



A stone Wang Jian statue stands on the bed in the back chamber with all his royal splendor. The bed itself is embossed with two dragons playing with a ball on the facet, and with lions on each side. It is considered the most exquisite and valuable of its kind.

Grave thieves have raided the Mausoleum over the years. But later archeological excavators found enough to tell the story of the times.

The Mausoleum Museum tea park is well renowned in Chengdu City. You will also able to enjoy the Shu Palace musical performance.


Note:
For detailed information on Dynasties, please refer to History of China

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