The Tomb of Wangjian

Loacted in the northwestern suburbs of Chengdu, Wangjian’s Tomb is also called Yongling Mausoleum which was built during the Five Dynasties and Ten States Period (907-960). Wang Jian (王建，847-918) was the first emperor of the Former

Shu Kingdom during the Five Dynasties and Ten States Period.

Born in Wuyang County in Hunan Province, Wangjian was the faithful army general when he grew up.

At the beginning of the 10th century, the Tang Dynasty collapsed, and China once again split into a number of short-lived independent dynasties and states.

During this period, five dynasties came into being. They occupied the areas covering the middle and lower sections of the Yellow River. The other areas split into the ten states. Most of them were located in the South. So this period is often referred to as the Five Dynasties and Ten States Period.

The Former Shu was one of the ten states. Wang Jian served as the first emperor for 12 years. He was buried in this tomb. Originally his mausoleum was spectacular. It included a hundred grand frescoes. During the Northern Song Dynasty (960-1127) many of the mausoleum constructions were destroyed.

The unearthed important cultural relics include mourning brochures, jade belt, jade ring, silver bowls, silver pigs, silver dish, copper and iron wares and pottery.Three groups of refined stone carvings were unearthed from the tomb: the first group in the middle chamber depicts 12 Hercules uplifting and supporting coffin, the second group is 24 pictures about music performances, the third group includes the basso-relievos in the front side of the imperial bed, and the sitting statue of Wang Jian.