Zhaojun Tomb is reputedly the last resting place of Wang Zhaojun, who is famed as one of the Four Beauties of ancient China. She is remembered for her sacrifice in leaving the court of the Han Dynasty emperor Yuan to make a strategic marriage with a ruler of the powerful Central Asian tribe known as the Xiongnu.
Wang Zhaojun's tomb is under a large earthen mound 33 meters across, nine kilometers from Hohhot city on the northern bank of the Danhei River. The local Mongols call this area Temür Urkhu (meaning "Iron Wall") but it is more commonly known as the Green Mound, owing to the belief that in autumn when the surrounding trees and grasses wither, the grass covering the Zhaojun Tomb remains lush. In the summer, wild flowers and trees attract local visitors and the tomb is a popular destination for sunbathing and picnicking. A large pavilion provides a picturesque viewing platform for visitors interested in seeing more of the landscape.
Various statues and steles around the tomb praise Wang Zhaojun and her contribution to the unity of the Chinese people. Recently, the tomb area has been developed and renamed the Zhaojun Museum. The museum encompasses a Xiongnu Culture Museum and a reconstruction of Wang Zhaojun's former residence.
Sign up with
Google
