The pyramids in Egypt have always been regarded as a mystery of ancient human civilization. Another mysterious ancient construction that resembles the refulgence has been found in China. Dubbed the "Pyramids of China", the Western Xia Tombs include nine mausoleums housing the imperial family and 207 tombs belonging to dukes and ministers.

In recent years, scientific research and exploration have been conducted at the site, buried in the wilderness of Helan Mountain in West China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region , in hopes of decoding the sudden disappearance of the Western Xia civilization.

Located 30 kilometers west of Yinchuan , capital of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, the Western Xia Tombs cover an area of 40 square kilometers; they are located on the eastern slope of the Helan Mountain range, just south of the Gunzhong Pass.

  General features of the site

The tombs were originally created by the founder of the Western Xia Kingdom (AD1038-1237), Li Yuanhao, who built over 70 tombs -- one for himself, some for his relatives and more to be left empty, presumably against theft.

Each main tomb has four corner towers and an array of watchtowers, pavilions housing stone tablets, a sacrificial hall and a coffin platform -- most of which are unrecognizable. Archaeologists believe that octagonal glazed-tile pagodas once stood by each tomb.

In contrast to the wooden and stone structures of the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) dynasty imperial tombs, the Western Xia Tombs are made of earth and brick, reflecting the culture of the ancient western kingdom.

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