Mausoleum of Prince Jingjiang
Located at the foot of Yao Mountain, 7km east of guilin, the Mausoleum of Prince Jingjiang is an important historical site and attraction in Guilin.
The Mausoleum is where eleven princes of the Jingjiang family during Ming dynasty were buried. The site covers an area over 100 square km with more than 300 tombs scattering. In front of each tomb stands Huabiao(ornamental column erected in front of palace, tombs), official stone statues, various animals (tiger, lion, unicorn). These stone works were exquisitely made, primitively simple and stately.
With "the way of the spirit" turning slightly, the statues appear: two military officers wearing sabres, two civilian officials and two ministers of merit. Six statues on each side and twelve in all.
The tomb of the third king and his consort is now opened to tourists. On the top of this tomb, visitor can get a panoramic view of the whole mausoleum: red walls and ornamental halls nesting in the lush vegetation.
Eleven princes of Jingjiang Family in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644 AD) were buried here. In addition, more than 300 tombs covering an area over 100 sq. km are scattered nearby, forming the biggest ancient tomb cemetery in south China.
In front of each tomb stand a pair of Huabiao as well as two parallel lines of stone statues in the form of horses, humans and other figurines. In 1983, the government had repaired the mausoleum and opened it to visitors. Now the well-preserved tombs have become important relics of culture and history in Guilin.
