Western Xia Mausoleums, Yinchuan.

The Western Xia Mausoleums, also known as the Western Xia Imperial Mausoleums, are the mausoleums of the Western Xia emperors and the royal tombs. The mausoleums are located to the west of Yinchuan City, Ningxia, with the Helan Mountains to the west and the Yinchuan Plain to the east. The mausoleums are at an altitude of 1,130 to 1,200 meters and are one of the largest and most intact imperial mausoleums in China, as well as the largest existing Western Xia cultural site. The Western Xia Mausoleums were built from the early 11th century to the early 13th century. Influenced by Buddhist architecture, the Western Xia Mausoleums combine Han culture, Buddhist culture, and Dangxiang culture to form a unique form of mausoleum architecture in China. Among the 119 national key scenic spots in China, the Western Xia Mausoleums are the only scenic spots composed of a single imperial mausoleum. It continues the history of the Xianbei Tuoba clan from the Northern Wei Dynasty to the Dangxiang Western Xia Dynasty. In 1038, Li Yuanhao, the leader of the Dangxiang tribe, established the Western Xia Dynasty. He moved his grandfather Li Jiqian and his father Li Deming to the eastern foot of the Helan Mountains. Li Jiqian was buried in Yuling and Li Deming was buried in Jialing. Since then, during the existence of the Western Xia Dynasty, every emperor has recorded a clear mausoleum name, but there is no record of the specific burial location. In 1227, the Western Xia Dynasty was destroyed by the Mongols. The last emperor of the Western Xia Dynasty, Li Xian, surrendered and was killed shortly afterwards. The burial place is unknown and the Western Xia Dynasty was destroyed. Since then, the Western Xia Mausoleums have been severely damaged by the Mongolian army. During the Hongwu period of the Ming Dynasty, the Western Xia Mausoleums were discovered by the Ming government, and it was believed that this was the Western Xia Mausoleums. In 1988, the Western Xia Mausoleums, known as the Oriental Pyramids, were listed as a national key cultural relics protection unit. Western Xia Mausoleums