Tombs of Western Xia emperors yield their secrets after a millennium

In the northwest of China, between the Helan Mountains and the Yellow River along the ancient Silk Road, nine mysterious imperial tombs stand in solemn stillness amid the desert landscape. The final resting place of the emperors of the Western Xia dynasty, this complex of mausoleums vanished from the pages of history for more than 700 years. Now, in the summer of 2025, the Xixia Imperial Tombs have been restored to their place of honor and are ready to yield their secrets after a millennium. The aesthetic expression of the Xixia script, the exquisite glazed ornaments and majestic stone sculptures speak of a civilization that shaped the course of history, the relics of which richly deserve their new status as China's 60th World Heritage Site!