Zhao Jun Tomb

Wang Zhaojun, one of China's four ancient beauties, was selected into the palace during the reign of Emperor Yuan of the Han Dynasty. In order to safeguard the peace of the state, she voluntarily married ChanYu, the chieftain of the Hun. So, she was revered and remembered by the later generations.

Wang Zhaojun was a symbol of the cohesion for the Chinese nation. Her deeds are respected by the later people. Her tomb is repeatedly renovated by the later generation in memory of her. And the story of Zhaojun going out of the frontier strongly attracted numerous artists of every dynasty, who created thousands of works based on her story in a variety of artistic forms, such as music, painting, poetry, drama and novels.

According to the historical record and folklore, the tomb of Wang Zhaojun is located on the southern bank of the Dahei River, nine kilometers south of the city of Hohhot, capital city of Inner Mongolia.

Zhaojun Tomb is similar to the imperial tombs of the Han Dynasty that were built in the central plain of the kingdom. There are pavilions around the tomb in which visitors can rest. Cultural relics commemorating Zhaojun are on display in an exhibition room nearby.

Assuming the shape of an overturned cape, the tomb was built with earth. It is 33 meters high, covering an area of 13000 square meters. The cemetery centers on the grave. There is a path, decorated archway, stone carving and bronze statue in front of the grave. Of which, the 4-metre-high large bronze statue weighing 5 tons showing Chanyu and Wang Zhaojun riding side by side on horseback is very vivid and splendid. There's a 100-meter stele corridor, in which a great number of inscriptions related to Zhaojun Tomb since the Qing Dynasty are displayed. The landscape surrounding the tomb is very beautiful and is always changing, meaning that it has been called a "green tomb supporting beauty".

The first Chinese mention of the cemetery in written record is in the Tang Dynasty, by Du You in A Comprehensive Guide.