the line of statues along Spirit Way
in May 2004 there is a real entrance building
statues of the 61 foreign diplomats that attended Gaozong's funeral, for some reason they lost their head
looking south towards "Nipple Mountain", the tower to the right is being repaired
but one is used as a backrest
the foreign diplomats have been put on a pedestal
looking south towards "nipple Mountain', both towers are now repaired
the Tang Qianling Mausoleum
Both rest sofar undisturbed in a large tomb carved deep under a
large mound on Mount Liang.
Emperor Gaozong was not a real strong leader, at the end of his reign empress
Wu Zetian
defacto ruled the empire. After his death she grabbed power and ruled for 15 years as China's only female emperor. She was
ruthless and had several of her own children killed to stay in power.
Qianling contains several more burial tombs
of Tang family and other bigshots. Some were excavated and yielded troves of riches and wall murals.
In 2006 there was
discussion to
open the emperors tomb, but was rejected.
When we visited in December 1997, the place was a bit run-down, but repairs had
started. In May 2004 everthing was tidy and well kept.
the entrance in December 1997, there is some snow on the ground and on the head of the winged horse
we take a stroll on Spirit Way, the mound in the background contains the tomb of the Gaozong and Wu Zetian
the pavilion at the tomb of Tang princess Yongtai
the restored left tower
empress Wu left this stela empty, hoping others would carve kind words
the smart horse saved its head
