10 Mysteries about Emperor Qin Shi Huang's Mausoleum
In Shaanxi province, China, beneath a vast earthen mound lies the mausoleum of Qin Shi Huang (259 BC - 210 BC), the First Emperor who unified China. While the famous Terracotta Army guards the area nearby, the emperor's mausoleum has remained sealed for over 2,000 years. This long-standing closure has sparked endless curiosity and speculation, raising many unanswered questions about what lies inside and how it was built. Here are ten of the most fascinating mysteries surrounding this ancient wonder.
 |
| Qin Shi Huang's Mausoleum in Xi'an |
1. How Deep is the Underground Palace of the Mausoleum?
Historical records describe the underground palace of Qin Shi Huang's Mausoleum, where his coffin was placed, as extraordinarily deep, claiming it was dug through three layers of groundwater. This has led some scientists to dramatic estimates, suggesting a staggering depth of 500 to 1,500 meters (1,600 to 4,900 feet). However, archaeologists find this highly unlikely, as such a depth would pose severe engineering challenges, including water seeping in from nearby rivers. Modern geological surveys and core drilling paint a different picture. According to the latest drilling data, the underground palace is not as deep as once imagined. The bottom of the underground palace is about 26 meters (85 feet) below its entrance, and the maximum depth from the surface is roughly 37 meters (121 feet).
Read more: Where was Emperor Qin Shi Huang buried?2. How Many Treasures Are Buried Inside the Mausoleum?
According to historical accounts, the mausoleum was filled with rare cultural relics and precious treasures. The breathtaking bronze chariots and horses, along with the thousands of lifelike terracotta warriors and horses found in nearby pits, offer only a glimpse of the wealth associated with the emperor's tomb. If these were merely outer deposits, the main mausoleum, given that Qin Shi Huang was the first emperor with supreme power, likely holds objects of unimaginable splendor. Speculation abounds: some say the palace may contain the legendary Nine Tripod Cauldrons, symbols of imperial authority, or priceless jades and musical instruments taken from conquered states. One intriguing record mentions lamps fueled by "mermaid" oil, possibly from whales or giant salamanders, believed to burn for a very long time, providing everlasting light for the emperor's afterlife.
|
|
3. Is There Really a River of Mercury under the Mausoleum?
Ancient texts claim that Qin Shi Huang's mausoleum contains a miniature model of his empire, with rivers and seas simulated by flowing mercury. Remarkably, scientific tests have detected unusually high levels of mercury in the soil over the tomb mound, and the distribution pattern somewhat mirrors the river systems of ancient China. This provides tantalizing evidence supporting the ancient accounts. However, it raises another question: how did workers over two thousand years ago obtain, transport, and meticulously arrange such enormous quantities of mercury underground?
4. Are There Complex Booby Traps Inside the Mausoleum?
The mausoleum of Qin Shi Huang has endured for over two thousand years, and its core burial chamber has never been successfully looted. Legends describe it as protected by three layers of sophisticated anti-theft mechanisms. The first is sand: it's said that the entire tomb complex is surrounded by a vast sand fill, making it nearly impossible for thieves to tunnel through. The second is automated crossbows: historical records note that if intruders triggered hidden mechanisms, crossbows concealed within passages and doorways would fire from all directions. The third line of defense is the mercury river, which flows around the interior, releasing toxic fumes that would prove fatal to anyone who inhaled them.
5. Why Are There Nine Layers of Earth Above the Tomb?
Covered by a huge earthen mound, the mausoleum of Qin Shi Huang resembles a massive four-sided pyramid viewed from above, even larger than the Great Pyramid of Giza. Research indicates this enormous mound covering the tomb was carefully constructed from nine layers of compacted earth. The reason for the nine layers has been widely debated. In Chinese culture, the number nine holds special significance, symbolizing the emperor's ultimate authority. It is believed the nine layers were intended to match Qin Shi Huang's supreme and unparalleled status. Some scholars also suggest this nine-tiered platform allowed the emperor's soul to step out of the underground palace, ascend the earthen mound, and survey the empire he founded, forever watching over his domain.
|
|
6. What Is the Layout of the Mausoleum?
Qin Shi Huang firmly believed in an afterlife where he could continue his rule. Consequently, he sought to recreate the world of his lifetime within his mausoleum. The emperor possessed countless palaces during his life, and his capital was protected by armies stationed beyond the city walls. Therefore, the layout of his mausoleum is undoubtedly complex. The terracotta army pits discovered outside the mausoleum walls are thought to represent the imperial guard stationed outside the capital. Historical records also mention multiple passageways and a series of gates inside the tomb. Besides, the mausoleum likely contained separate chambers for the emperor's coffin, burial objects, and, as described, models of rivers and mountains from his realm. These simulated spaces formed a complete microcosm for his soul to govern his empire in the afterlife.
|
|
7. Where Exactly Is the Underground Palace Located within the Mausoleum?
For a long time, the exact location of the underground palace housing Qin Shi Huang's coffin remained a mystery. Was it directly under the earthen mound, or hidden deep within nearby Mount Li? Some legends claim it was concealed inside the Mount Li, connected to the mausoleum by a secret tunnel. Using modern techniques such as remote sensing, archaeologists speculate that the core of the underground palace likely lies directly beneath the existing tomb mound. However, it is currently difficult to verify whether this is the true underground palace or merely a protective barrier or false construct designed to conceal and safeguard the actual one.
8. Why Does the Mausoleum Face East?
Unlike most Chinese imperial tombs, which traditionally face south, Qin Shi Huang's mausoleum is oriented east-west, with its main direction thought to be eastward. This unusual alignment has sparked several speculations. Some believe that since Qin Shi Huang, in his lifelong pursuit of immortality, repeatedly sent alchemists eastward across the seas to seek the elixir of life, he chose to face east after death to continue that quest. Others argue that because the Qin state originated in the west, facing east symbolizes the emperor eternally gazing upon the six eastern states he conquered, showcasing his monumental achievement. Another view links the eastward orientation to the etiquette and customs of the Qin and Han periods, where the host's seat of honor faced east. As the supreme ruler, his tomb also maintained this dignified orientation.
9. Is the Emperor's Body Still Preserved?
In the 1970s, the remarkably well-preserved body of a noblewoman was discovered in a tomb from the Han Dynasty (206 BC - 220 AD) in Changsha. Since the Qin and Han dynasties are less than a century apart, this find naturally leads to the question: could the First Emperor's body also be intact? Technologically, it might have been possible for the Qin Dynasty to achieve good preservation. However, historical records describe that Qin Shi Huang died suddenly during an inspection tour in the sweltering summer heat. His body began to decompose during the long journey back to the capital, a trip that took about two months. Given this significant delay before proper enshrinement, most experts believe the chances of his body remaining well-preserved are very slim.
You may like: What did Qin Shi Huang die from?10. How Many People Built the Mausoleum?
The mausoleum of Qin Shi Huang is colossal in scale. Some ancient texts record a workforce exceeding 700,000 for the construction, whereas other historical sources suggest a significantly lower estimate of around 100,000. By analyzing tool pits and remnants of living quarters around the site, archaeologists estimate that the workforce at its peak likely ranged between 30,000 and 50,000 individuals. The figure of 700,000 probably refers to the total number of laborers conscripted in batches and shifts over the several decades the project lasted, rather than a single, enormous group working simultaneously.
Recommended Tours
Further Reading: Terracotta Army Pit 1 Terracotta Army Pit 2 Terracotta Army Pit 3 Terracotta Accessory Pits Epang Palace Site Mysteries about Emperor Qin Shi Huang Hot Topics on Qin Shi Huang Mausoleum City Walls to Protect Qin Shi Huang Mausoleum Underground Palace of Qin Shi Huang Mausoleum Why Does Qin Shi Huang's Mausoleum Remain Unexcavated? Has Qin Shi Huang Tomb ever been robbed in the past?- Last updated on Feb. 10, 2026 by Doris Xue -