Zhaojun Tomb
Hohhot, Northern China
A high green mound set in landscaped gardens with statues, steles, museums, and a tent for dance performances, the Zhaojun Tomb is one of the biggest Han Dynasty tombs, standing as high as a 10-story building. It’s named for a famous beauty and Chinese heroine, Wang Zhaojun, who married a chief of the nomadic Xiongnu people in 33 BC.
The basics
While the tomb and the modern museum take their names from Wang Zhaojun, there’s no evidence that this is her final resting place. The focus on Zhaojun and her peacemaking marriage sends a message of national unity that’s particularly important to the Chinese government in a region with an independence movement. There’s a charge to visit the complex, and most travelers opt to buy tickets on the day.
Things to know before you go
The Zhaojun Tomb is a good choice for fans of Chinese culture. Most signage at the museums is in Chinese only. The site is wheelchair accessible, with smooth, made paths.
How to get there
The Zhaojun Tomb is in the far south of Hohhot, about a 10-mile (15-kilometer) drive from Qingcheng Park. The #209 bus runs from Old City North Gate to the museum, but you’re better off booking a driver or joining a tour than taking a taxi or a DiDi, to make sure you have a return ride.
When to get there
The Zhaojun Tomb is open daily from morning until late afternoon. Dance performances at the site only take place during the warmer months of the year.
Who was Wang Zhaojun?
Wang Zhaojun is one of the Four Beauties of ancient China, a hugely romanticized figure who was nonetheless a real person. The story of her marriage, which brought peace between the Xiongnu and the Han Chinese for several generations, has been told and retold in dance, drama, movies, stories, paintings, and more. In addition to being beautiful, she was known as highly intelligent, mastering the four arts of the Chinese scholar: calligraphy, painting, the guqin (zither), and the game of go.
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