Koguryo Cultural Relics Scenic Area |
Travel in Jilin | |||
Koguryo Cultural Relics Scenic Area (gāo gōu lì wén wù gǔ jì jǐng qū 高句丽文物古迹景区) is located in the southeast part of Jilin Province, Ji'an (jí ān 集安) City is a key port to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea which is on the other side of Yalu River. With the coverage of 3,217 sq. km. and a population of 236,000, Ji'an has 18 nationalities, 88.4% of which are Han, and 7.5% are Korean. The Capital Cities and Tombs of the Ancient Koguryo Kingdom are distributed in the area of Ji'an city, Jilin Province, and there is an inner city, a hill city and 14 imperial tombs and 16 other tombs in which the nobles were buried. And the Koguryo Cultural Relics Scenic Area was set up in 1983 which is reached 857679 square meters.
History
![]() During the 400 years, Korguryo people had created brilliant civilization in Ji'an. Rich historical relics were left on this land: Guonei City and Wandu Mountain City sites, Donggou ancient tomb (dòng gōu gǔ mù qún 洞沟古墓群) complexes with over 10,000 ancient tombs,
![]() Ji’an was first established in 1902 in Qing Dynasty. Its Chinese name was changed once in March 8, 1965. Ji’an County was prompted as Ji'an city in April 15, 1989. And it was granted as the Chinese historical and cultural city in January 4, 1992. It is granted as "China's Top Tourist City" by National tourism administration in June 2004. In 2004, this site of capital cities and tombs of the Ancient Koguryo Kingdom of China was inscribed into the World Heritage List.
Best Attractions
The Site of Capital Cities of the Ancient Koguryo Kingdom
The site of capital cities of the Ancient Koguryo Kingdom has witnessed the changing in the last 1500 years. Though the magnificent palace and temples collapsed, the remaining city walls stand firmly, revealing the splendor of the vanished kingdom. As an important historical site
![]() Before the capital of Korguryo was moved here, Guonei City had already had earth-made circumvallation. But the remaining walls were constructed after the capital was moved here. Guonei City was in quadrate shape, with a 554.7-meter-long east wall, 702-meter-long west wall, a 751.5-meter-long south wall and a 730-meter-long north wall, 2738.2 meters in circumference. Both sides of the wall were made of quarrels. The lower layers were wider than the higher ones. Workers sculpted horse faces on the wall and turrets were built at the four corners. Some parts of the circumvallation have collapsed. The remaining wall is 7 to 10 meters wide and the highest parts are 3 to 4 meters high. There are four gates in the circumvallation. Three of them were rebuilt in 1921 and the north one was blocked. The east gate was named Jiwen Gate (jí wén mén 辑文门); the west gate was named Anwu Gate (ān wǔ mén 安武门); the south one was named Jinjiang Gate (jīn jiāng mén 襟江门).
Wandu Mountain City (wán dōu shān chéng 丸都山城)
![]() According to historical records, Wandu Mountain City was named Weinayan City (wèi nà yán chéng 尉那严城) originally. It was reinforced and was named Wandu Mountain City in 198AD. Palace on large scale was constructed in the city. The monarch of the Koguryo reign of Shanshang (shān shàng 山上) (in the mountain) moved the capital to Wandu Mountain City in 209 AD. Wandu Mountain City was the only mountain city serving as capital that was constructed with a palace on large scale at center.
Taiwang Mausoleum (tài wáng ling 太王陵)
4km east of Ji'an urban district, Taiwang Mausoleum is situated in the south of Yushan (yǔ shān禹山) Mountain. 2km south of Yalu (yā lù 鸭绿) River, it is the mausoleum of the 19th monarch of Koguryo reign of Haotai. The monarch's name was also called Tande (tán dé 谈德). He was enthroned in 391AD and his reign lasted for 22 years. He was buried here in
![]() Taiwang Mausoleum was a stone-chambered tomb of square altar ladder pattern. Before the construction of the square altar, an 80cm foundation trench was made and the foundation was 90cm high. Because of formation variation over the past 1600 years, considerable changes had been made on the foundation of the square altar. The side of the square-shape mausoleum is around 65 meters long. The remaining is 14 meters high. The mausoleum is 259.5 meters in circumference. 5 Hugh granites are relying on the ladder stones to reduce the harm the tensile may cause. 13 huge granites with a weight of over 10 tons respectively are also well preserved.
the General's Tomb (jiāng jūn fén将军坟)
As the mausoleum of the 20th monarch of the Koguryo Kingdom reign of Changshou (Longevity), the General's Tomb broke earth in early 5th century when the monarch ascended the throne. The tomb had been visited by grave robbers many years ago. In the late Qing Dynasty, some people moved into the Changbai (cháng bái 长白) Mountain preserve
![]() 4.5km northeast of Ji’an urban district, the General's Tomb is located at the foot of Longshan (lóng shān 龙山) Mountain (Dragon Mountain) and 1km away from Haotaiwang Stele. Along Yalu River and overlooking Yushan Mountain in the west, the mausoleum relies on Longshan Mountain and faces a slope with a sunny exposure. More than 20 round holes are carved on the surrounding stone strips. With elaborate structure and techniques, the magnificent General's Tomb is a masterpiece of Koguryo mausoleum.
Since all monarchs of Koguryo kingdom began to build their mausoleum after they came to the throne, this mausoleum must be built by the monarch of the reign of Changshou. Although the capital was moved by him to Pyongyang in 427, the 15 year of his reign, the mausoleum should have been finished by then. It is reasonable for the monarch to be buried in Guonei City the former capital which was also regarded as an important city by Koguryo people.
Haotaiwang Stele (hǎo tài wáng bēi 好太王碑)
![]() Haotaiwang Stele is not only an important historical material to learn the founding and development of Koguryo kingdom but also a significant art of Chinese stele. In 2004, this site of capital cities and tombs of the Ancient Koguryo Kingdom of China was inscribed into the World Heritage List. And the Stele was renowned as the first Haidong ancient stele with Chinese characters.
Qianqiu Mausoleum (qiān qiū mù 千秋墓) (Thousand-Year Mausoleum)
![]() Xida Mausoleum (xī dà mù 西大墓) (West Mausoleum)
Xida Mausoleum, a Mausoleum constructed in the middle of Koguryo Kingdom, was discovered by people moved from the center part of China when cleaning land at the end of Qing
![]() Yushan (yǔ shān 禹山) Hill aristocrat graveyard
Situated at the foot of Yushan Hill, the aristocrat graveyard is in the north of Ji’an railway. Centered on the twelve tombs of Yushan No. 2110 tomb group, the graveyard settles Wukui tomb group, Sikui (sì kuī 四盔) tomb group and Sishen (sì shén 四神) tomb group. The aristocrat graves of high class are highly valuable for further study on the Koguryo funeral.
Wukui Tomb Group No. 4 Tomb (wǔ kuī fén sì hào mù 五盔坟四号墓)
![]() Wukui Tomb Group No. 5 Tomb (wǔ kuī fén wǔ hào mù 五盔坟五号墓)
The aristocrat tomb with fresco in the tomb chamber which was buried in earth is 8 meters high with its circumference 100 meters long. The square-shape tomb chamber is decorated
![]() Ji'an City Museum (jí ān shì bó wù guǎn 集安市博物馆)
![]() Location: Ji'an City (jí ān 集安)
Transportation: take bus to Ji’an City at Tonghua Bus Station
Tel: 0435-6262796
Admission Fee: CNY 100
![]()
|