Although no Western Zhou (about 11th century-771BC) mausoleums have yet been unearthed, it is presumed that they should be near the then capitals of Fengjing and Haojing (both in today’s Shaan’xi Province).

Furthermore, building tombs on a higher place blessed with thick earth and deep groundwater was also an established rule in the previous dynasties. Xianyangyuan, the location of the nine Han tombs, was pleasantly capacious, with 32.7 kilometers in length and 10 kilometers in width. The groundwater level of seven out of the nine mausoleums reached more than 50 meters deep, with that of the other two falling between 30-50 meters.

What’s more, Bailuyuan and Dudongyuan, where Baling, the tomb of the third emperor Wendi (reign180-157BC), and Duling, the burial place of the seventh emperor Xuandi ( reign 74-49BC), are respectively situated in favorable topographic conditions with thick earth and deep groundwater.

Feng Shui

Concerning favorable topography, a lot of other places near Chang’an are suitable for building imperial tombs. The final selection of Xianyangyuan largely rested with the then prevailing feng shui theory (also known as geomancy with feng meaning wind, and shui, water).

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