Western Xia Tombs: Imprint of a Millennium-Old Dynasty at the Foot of Helan Mountain

Located at the eastern foot of Helan Mountain in the XiXia District of Yinchuan City, the Western Xia Tombs are the largest and best-preserved historical and cultural relics of the Western Xia era in China. This grand burial complex, built using the unique loess tamping technique of northern China, features nine imperial tombs and over 200 accompanying burial sites.

As the royal burial ground of the Western Xia Dynasty (1038-1227), the Western Xia Tombs inherit architectural styles from the Tang and Song dynasties while uniquely centering around tower-like burial platforms. They cleverly integrate the natural landscape of Helan Mountain with the Yellow River system and the layout of the capital, showcasing the wisdom of harmonious construction.

This precious historical site has received several important recognitions:

- In 1988, it was announced by the State Council as a key cultural relic protection unit.

- In 2012, it was included in the preparatory list of China's World Cultural Heritage.

- In 2017, it was selected as one of the third batch of National Archaeological Site Parks (the only one in Ningxia).

- On July 11, 2025, it was successfully included in the World Heritage List, becoming China's 60th World Heritage Site.

The heritage protection area designated for this application covers nearly 40 square kilometers, with a buffer zone exceeding 400 square kilometers, encompassing nine imperial tombs, 271 accompanying burial sites, 5.03 hectares of northern architectural remains, 32 flood control engineering sites, and 7,100 precious cultural relics unearthed from the area. The UNESCO World Heritage Committee highly recognizes the integrity and authenticity of the Western Xia Tombs and fully affirms the achievements of the Chinese government in heritage protection and management.

Today, this historical relic, which has lain dormant for nearly a thousand years, is telling the story of that once-glorious dynasty to the world under its new identity as a World Heritage Site, becoming an important cultural link between the ancient and modern worlds.

Western Xia Museum: Memories of a Dynasty Across Millennia

Located within the Western Xia Tombs site, the Western Xia Museum is a thematic museum focused on the history and culture of the Western Xia Dynasty. Its architecture features a grand and modern design language that resonates with the backdrop of Helan Mountain, creating a perfect dialogue between the mountains and the building, showcasing a unique quality of harmonious coexistence with the vast landscape.

Inside, the museum systematically presents the rise and fall of the Western Xia Dynasty and the history of the preservation of the Western Xia Tombs through meticulously designed graphic panels, immersive multimedia, and scene reconstructions. Over 2,000 precious artifacts are displayed here, from gilded bronze cattle to inscriptions in the Western Xia script, each serving as a key to unlock the mysteries of Western Xia civilization.

Notably, the museum also houses more than 2,000 academic works on Western Xia studies, providing researchers with a rich repository of resources. Visitors can follow the footsteps of professional guides, listening to the historical stories hidden behind the artifacts and experiencing the unique charm of this mysterious dynasty.

As an important component of the World Cultural Heritage of the Western Xia Tombs, the Western Xia Museum is not just a hall for displaying artifacts; it is a cultural bridge connecting the ancient and the modern, allowing every visitor to personally touch that dusty history.