Tomb of the Tibetan Kings


Located at Chonggye, the tumuli of the Tibetan kings are 30 km from Tsedang. Buried here are the
kings, the ministers and the royal concubines from the 29th Tsanpo to the last (the 40th). It is also
the largest tumuli group in Tibet. From all of the tombs, the most remarkable one is King Songtsan
Gampo’s.

Situated on the Muchong Hill opposite to the Yarlung River, which shows that Tobu had focused on
“fengshui” that centered on “with its back to the mountains and facing the waters”, The tombs erect
on the plateau, with west wind blowing and sunset shining, and the Yarlung River flowing silently to
the east, the tombs look grave. All these form a unique sight. The Tombs of the Tibetan Kings have
become the state key protected historical site.

Each tomb has different size and height, but the forms are roughly identical, they all have square flat tops, but some have been erode by wind,
rain, and later become round tombs. They are arranging disorderly, the highest is 10 meters and looked like a little mound from distance.

According to historical records there are five underground chambers containing statues of Songtsan Gampo, Shakyamuni and Padmasambava
with great quantities of gold, silver, pears and agates as funeral objects. The coffin itself is said to have been laid in the central chamber and to its
left side it is said to a suit of amour worn by Songtsan Gampo on expedition; to its right side to have laid knights and battle horses made of solid
gold as the retinue of Songtsan Gampo after his demise. Buried at the head of the coffin is a coral statue of Lord Loyak Gyalo, whose function is
supposed to give light to the dead king and at the foot of it is a cache of pears weighing 35 kilograms, wrapped in silk, as Songtsan Gampos share
of wealth.

Once they established their powerful regime, these Tibetan kings gathered mammoth amounts of
wealth, and built magnificent palaces, monasteries and large-scale tombs. Most of the surface
buildings no longer exist, but, according to historical documents, uncounted precious historical relics
and treasures were buried in each tomb. What is more, most of them haven't been looted, leaving a
large amount of cultural treasure, which, when located, can assist immeasurably the study of Tibetan
history and culture.