HomeBeijing Attractions

Museum of Dabaotai Han Tomb

The Museum of Dabaotai Han Tomb is located near Beijing World Park, Huangtugang Town, Fengtai District, about 15 kilometers (9.3 miles) to the south of Beijing. The museum, a specialized history museum, was built over the Number 1 Tomb, where Liu Jian, Guangyangqing King (75 BC-45 BC) was buried 2,000 years ago. The Number 2 Tomb (the tomb of his wife) was destructed some time ago.


The excavation of the tomb began in 1974 and ended in 1975. Although the tombs were stolen by some ghouls, as many as 1,000 historical relics of pottery, bronze, steel, jade, agate, lacquer and silk were excavated. At present, the Number 1 Tomb is the only well-preserved tombs of this kind built in the Han Dynasty (206 BC-220 AD). Therefore, it is of great significance for studying the imperial funeral system of the Han Dynasty.


The Number 1 Tomb is a large underground wooden palace, 23.2 meters (76.1 feet) long, 18 meters (59 feet) wide, and 4.7 meters (15.4 feet) high. The construction takes the highest level funeral system that can only be used by emperors of the Han Dynasty. The palace was built with cypresses which were placed in good order. The tomb of Guangyangqing King totally used 15,880 cypresses of the same standard. The walls are very firm, 3 meters (9.84 feet) high, 0.9 meters (35.4 inches) thick; however, none of a tenon-and-mortise was used, which reflects the excellent technological level of construction. The antechamber and the back room were also built in the tomb. The former symbolizes the living room of master of the tomb when he was alive. The coffin lies in the coffin bed in the back room. In the tomb channels, there are remains of 11 horses and three carriages designed for princes and kings.


With an extensive and colorful history, the museum offers an activity that tourists throw arrows into a pot. It is a kind of amusements often held in the ancient banquet, and the losers drink wine. In addition, visitors can do simulated archaeological work.


Admission Fee:
Free
Opening Hours:
09:00-16:00 (closed on Mondays)
Bus Route:
480, 913, 937 Zhi, 944 Zhi, 967 to Baotailu, then you could take a taxi to the Museum of Dabaotai Han Tomb.