North Song Dynasty Imperial Tombs, Xicun near Gongyi, Luoyang, Henan, China cover photo - 206939270

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Photo title: North Song Dynasty Imperial Tombs, Xicun near Gongyi, Luoyang, Henan, China
Author: Pepperboxdesign

Cover photo description:
Yongxi Mausoleum: The mausoleum of Emperor Tai Zong Zhao Guangyi, to the east of Hutuo Village in Xicun Area. The tomb base is 62 meters long east to west, 60 meters wide from north to south and the mound is about 29 meters high. Around the mausoleum are 16 mounds which are the sites of structures of the time. Eight are in front of the mausoleum, four at the back and two on either side. Broken bricks and tiles of the Song period have been found in the mounds. The stone sculptures of Yongxi Mausoleum are the best preserved of the eight mausoleums. Pairs of stone lions guard the gates on each side of the mausoleum. In the front are 50 stone sculptures, arranged along the east and west sides of the spirit path. From north to south, on the west side are ten stone human statues, two sheep, two tigers, a human statue, a horse, two human statues, another horse, another human statue, a unicorn, a phoenix, a human statue, an elephant and an ornamental pillar, 25 stone figures in all. The east side has a similar array with one human statue missing, making 24 in all. Fronting the mausoleum is a stone altar.