“Twenty yuan please,” says the ticket vendor. You are about to enter the Yongling Museum. The Yongling Museum stands before you. This is no ordinary museum. It is the tomb of Wang Jian. Wang Jian founded the Former Shu regime. This was during a chaotic period after the Tang Dynasty.
Yongling Museum is located on Yongling Road. It’s in downtown Chengdu in Sichuan Province. It’s the only above-ground imperial tomb in China. Locals love Yongling Museum. They come for the cultural relics. They also enjoy the enchanting scenery in Yongling Park.
Let’s walk through the sacred passage. Notice the stone sculpted columns on both sides. These lead to the mausoleum. Wooden doors divide the burial chamber. There are three sections. The former chamber serves as an aisle. The middle chamber holds Wang Jian’s coffin platform.
Pause for a moment at the Murals of 24 Female Musicians and Dancers. These are carved onto three walls. They surround the platform. There are two dancers and 22 musicians. They hold 20 kinds of regional instruments. The murals show an imperial court band. This band is from the late Tang Dynasty. These murals teach us about China’s music history. Replicas of these murals adorn the tomb’s walls.
Outside, Ji Yue Square stands to the southeast of the entrance. Bronze statues encircle the square. These statues depict the 22 female musicians and dancers.
Now look at the back chamber. A stone statue of Wang Jian sits on a stone bed. The bed features embossed dragons. They play with a ball. Lions are on each side. The statue is a national cultural relic. It is the only stone statue of an emperor found in a tomb.
Take a moment to appreciate the uniqueness of Yongling. In 2001, a tomb passage was rebuilt. It used materials from other Tang dynasty imperial mausoleums. Stone statues were also added.
The Yongling Museum isn’t just about history. It’s located in Yongling Park. Yongling Park offers a tranquil atmosphere. You can enjoy enchanting landscapes. Meandering paths and exquisite pavilions await you. Even if you dislike Chinese culture or archeology you may enjoy a walk here.
Before we leave, consider this. The tomb was discovered during bomb shelter construction in 1940. An archeology professor identified it. His name was Feng Hanji. Excavation began in 1942. It was led by Feng Hanji and Liu Fuzhang.
Remember Yongling. It is more than a museum. It is a journey through time. It connects us to Wang Jian. He was the founder of the Former Shu regime. He rests here in Chengdu. This unique above-ground tomb is a testament to his legacy.