Tomb of Huo Qubing

The Tomb of Huo Qubing lies 1,000 meters (about 1,100 yards) northeast of Maoling Mausoleum in Xingping City, Shaanxi Province. It is a cone-shaped soil and rock mound, adjacent to the Maoling Museum and is surrounded by a scenic environment.
Tomb of Huo Qubing Horse statue in Huo Qubing Tomb

Stone Carvings in front of the Tomb of Huo Qubing

Altogether there are 16 stone carvings in front of the Tomb of Huo Qubing, including a galloping horse, a recumbent horse, a bull, a tiger, a wild boar, a toad, a stone fish, a sleeping elephant, a stone man, an ape and a bear. These large groups of carvings comprise an illustrious example of the art of stone caving in the Han Dynasty (206 BC-220). It is the best preserved carving heritage in China.

'Horse Treads on the Hun' is the main statue placed in front of the tomb with its length of 1.9 meters (about 6.2 feet) and its width of 1.68 meters (about 5.51 feet). In this carving, a stone horse is standing on the ground with perked head and long horsetail. Under its abdomen is a struggling Hun with bow and dagger in his hand. The whole carving is the most representational monumental work and holds an important place in the history of Chinese art.
 

Life Stories about Huoqubing

Huo Qubing (140 BC-117 BC) was a very outstanding and brave general in the Western Han Dynasty (206 BC-24). He and his uncle Wei Qing led the troops to repulse numerous incursions by the Huns and brought peace and prosperity to the society.
 See more about Wei Qing and Huo Qubing Beat Back the Huns

In 117 BC, he died at the age of 23, which was a great loss to the whole society. Emperor Wudi (156 BC-87 BC) and the entire nation felt very sad for this war hero's death, so the Emperor gave orders to hold a ceremonial funeral for him and built a spacious tomb for him just beside the Emperor's own. This is the present Tomb of Huo Qubing.

To this day there are still many beautiful legends about Huo Qubing spread among the people living in the Qilian Mountain. According to the people in Jiuquan City, Gansu Province, after Huo Qubing and his troops defeated the Huns here, the Emperor vouchsafed good wine to this general to reward him for his great achievement. Instead of enjoying the wine all by himself, Huo poured it into the spring pond and drank it with all his subjects. And from then on, the place was named as Jiuquan (the spring of wine).

To the present day, joss sticks, candles and paper money have never ceased burning throughout the year in the temple at the Tomb of Huo Qubing. Some people are doing so with the hope that he would 'help to avert disasters and cure their diseases,' because 'qubing' in Chinese means 'curing disease.'
 

- Last updated on Aug. 01, 2022 -
Questions & Answers on Tomb of Huo Qubing
Asked by Mr.MACCA from AUSTRALIA | Feb. 03, 2009 20:03Reply
I am going to Xi'an on the 4th March is it better to have a hotel in the centre of Xi'an, to visit all the tourist places. and will it be cold?
would I be able to find an interpreter for 3 days.
thank you
Answers (4)
Answered by Ms.Diana | Feb. 03, 2009 22:00
11Reply


Xi'an's March is getting warmer and warmer day by day. Usually, a thin sweater or tee-shirt with a jackiet is enough. Like every cities in north China, the weather during this period is not valid sometimes. So you'd better pay attention to the forecast.
Answered by Mr.Wei from AUSTRALIA | Feb. 12, 2009 23:09
13Reply


It is better to find a interpreter via the hotel.

The BellTower Hotel is in the right center of Xi'an, u can google that for more information.
Answered by Mr.Brian from US | Feb. 21, 2009 13:06
22Reply


There are tourist buses in the parking lot of the train station. They each have the name of their destinations (in English) on them. I'd recommend staying inside the city wall. There is a hotel called Seven days Hotel and it is "modern", very simple but clean. It costs under 200 Yuan per night. It is in a sort of "red light" area.... but my wife and I stayed there and we would go there again. Also, small oranges only cost 5 Yuan for a bag in Xi'an - tourists (Chinese or Foreigners) get ripped off big time in this city. Be careful.
Answered by Ms.Jessy from CHINA | Feb. 23, 2009 23:31
12Reply


a cold snap is visiting Xi'an these days, I'm afraid it won't be too warm on the begining of March. it's better to take wadded jacket with you.

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