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Belief in afterlife, and authority
By UNESCO website |
November 11, 2012, Sunday
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Print Edition
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THE Ming and Qing imperial tombs are outstanding testimony to a cultural and architectural tradition that for over 500 years dominated. By reason of their integration into the natural environment, they make up a unique ensemble of cultural landscapes.
From time immemorial, the rulers of China attached great importance to imposing mausoleums, reflecting not only the general belief in an afterlife but also an affirmation of authority. When the Ming dynasty came to power in 1368, an overall design was adopted. This sought to achieve great harmony between a natural site meeting certain selection criteria and a complex of buildings fulfilling codified functions.
The Xianling tombs of the Ming dynasty are situated near the town of Zhongxiang, in Hubei Province, 1,000 km from Beijing. The first work was carried out by Xing. He was declared Emperor posthumously in 1519.
The western Qing tomb in Baoding City, Yixian County, Hebei Province, contains 14 imperial tombs and two building complexes.
The site of eastern Qing tombs in Zunhua, Hebei Province, China contains 15 mausoleums in which 161 people were buried. Among them are the emperors Kangxi and Qianlong and the Dowager Empress Cixi.
The Ming and Qing imperial tombs on these and other sites were made a World Heritage site by UNESCO in 2000.
From time immemorial, the rulers of China attached great importance to imposing mausoleums, reflecting not only the general belief in an afterlife but also an affirmation of authority. When the Ming dynasty came to power in 1368, an overall design was adopted. This sought to achieve great harmony between a natural site meeting certain selection criteria and a complex of buildings fulfilling codified functions.
The Xianling tombs of the Ming dynasty are situated near the town of Zhongxiang, in Hubei Province, 1,000 km from Beijing. The first work was carried out by Xing. He was declared Emperor posthumously in 1519.
The western Qing tomb in Baoding City, Yixian County, Hebei Province, contains 14 imperial tombs and two building complexes.
The site of eastern Qing tombs in Zunhua, Hebei Province, China contains 15 mausoleums in which 161 people were buried. Among them are the emperors Kangxi and Qianlong and the Dowager Empress Cixi.
The Ming and Qing imperial tombs on these and other sites were made a World Heritage site by UNESCO in 2000.
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