Mausoleum of the Yellow Emperor 黄帝陵Huángdì Líng

Why go to Mausoleum of the Yellow Emperor

On Mount Qiao at Huangling, in the loess hills north of Xi'an, this is the traditional burial place of the Yellow Emperor (Huangdi), a legendary ruler revered as a common ancestor of the Chinese people. Start in Xuanyuan Temple at the foot of the hill, where a huge cypress inside the gate is said to have been planted by the Yellow Emperor himself, some 5,000 years ago according to local tradition. Then climb through the old cypress woods that cover the hill to the walled tomb mound on the summit.

The story

Offerings to the Yellow Emperor at Mount Qiao are traditionally traced back to Emperor Wu of Han, who is said to have sacrificed here in 110 BC on his way back from a campaign in the north. Today the Shaanxi provincial government leads a public ceremony here every year at Qingming, the spring festival for honouring ancestors, with drums and bells, a memorial address, a ritual dance and the planting of cypresses.

What to see at Mausoleum of the Yellow Emperor

• Xuanyuan Temple 轩辕庙: The ancestral temple at the foot of the hill, named for the Yellow Emperor's personal name Xuanyuan. Its courtyards and old cypresses are the usual start of a visit.
• Horse-Dismounting Stone 下马石: A stone beside the path up to the tomb area that carries the words 'civil and military officials dismount here', marking where visitors in imperial times had to get off their horses.
• Han Wu Immortal Terrace 汉武仙台: A tall rammed-earth mound near the tomb, said to have been raised for the visit of Emperor Wu of Han.
• Tomb mound and the Qiaoshan Longyu stele 桥山龙驭碑与黄帝陵冢: The tomb is a modest brick-walled mound, about 3.6 metres high, on Mount Qiao. A Ming stele in front reads 'Qiaoshan Longyu', referring to the legend of the Yellow Emperor riding a dragon to heaven.
• Great Hall of the First Ancestor 人文初祖大殿: The hall near the tomb holds a relief of the Yellow Emperor and a shrine painted with the four guardian animals.

How to visit Mausoleum of the Yellow Emperor

The scenic area is split into the Xuanyuan Temple area at the foot of Mount Qiao and the tomb area on the hill above, and most people visit the temple first and then climb through the cypress woods. Allow half a day. Ceremonies around Qingming bring the biggest crowds, when the tomb area may be busy or controlled.

How to get to Mausoleum of the Yellow Emperor

High-speed trains on the Xi'an–Yan'an line take about 50 minutes from Xi'an North to Huangling station. The mausoleum is about 9 km east of the station, roughly 15 minutes by taxi.

Where to stay

Most visitors come as a day trip from Xi'an by high-speed train. To stay nearby, Huangling, the county town just west of the mausoleum, is the only practical base.

What to eat

• Huangling soft millet cakes 黄陵软馍: A local cake of soft millet flour filled with sweet bean paste and steamed on pear leaves.
• Huangling fried cakes 黄陵油糕: A richer version of the same cake: steamed, cut into strips and deep-fried until crisp.

Tips for visiting Mausoleum of the Yellow Emperor

• From Xuanyuan Temple, walk or take the scenic-area shuttle up the road on the temple's west side to the tomb on the summit.
• Near the tomb, a tall rammed-earth mound known as the Han Wu Immortal Terrace is said to have been raised for Emperor Wu of Han's visit.
• Expect crowds around Qingming (4 or 5 April), when the official ceremony is held.

Nearby

• Hancheng Old Town and Dangjia Village 韩城古城·党家村 110 km
  Ming temples in an old county town and a village of grey-brick Ming–Qing courtyard houses

Also within 30 km: Yijun Grottoes 宜君石窟群 (20 km), Huaxi Valley, Yijun 动漫花溪谷 (20 km).

On the map

Open Mausoleum of the Yellow Emperor on the illustrated map to see the terrain around it, what else is close, and to add it to a trip and plan the days.

Learn more

• Wikipedia
• Wikipedia (Chinese)