Clear Western Mausoleum

Author: Xu Guangyuan
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-07-01
Features: This book narrates the development history of the world cultural heritage site, the Qing Western Tombs, showcasing its architectural art that harmonizes with nature, the magnificent and grand imperial mausoleums, as well as the rich historical anecdotes and cultural connotations accumulated over its long history. The Qing Western Tombs are one of the largest, most architecturally complete, and systematically well-preserved imperial mausoleums in China, standing out from the Ming Thirteen Tombs and the Qing Eastern Tombs with its unique characteristics and advantages. Nearly 20,000 ceremonial and sea trees allow visitors to experience the solemn and majestic atmosphere of the former imperial mausoleums. Almost every aspect of the architecture, doors, windows, partitions, and heated chambers (nuangé) and shrines (shénkān) retain the original essence of the imperial tombs. The surviving tripod-shaped altars, offering tables, spirit tablets, and treasures placed in the golden wells are invaluable material evidence for historical research. The author has been engaged in the study of Qing mausoleums for over 30 years, naturally including research on the Qing Western Tombs. Although this book is a travel-oriented, knowledge-sharing popular read, the author has strived to incorporate the fruits of years of research into every word of the book.