Zhao Mausoleum is the mausoleum of Li Shimin, Emperor Taizong of Tang Dynasty (618-907), one of the most famous emperor in Tang Dynasty. Located in Jiuzong Mountain, it is 70 kilometers away from Xian city proper. It has long been hailed as the largest royal mausoleum in the world. Also, it is the first batch of key cultural relic protection units in China. With diverse options for exploring, the mausoleum is a great place to understand Tang-era history and culture.

Overview about Zhaoling Mausoleum
Zhao Mausoleum features a perimeter of 60 kilometers and covers an area of 200 square kilometers. The mausoleum is home to more than 180 tombs in total, boasting as the largest royal mausoleum in the world. The owners of the satellite tombs include famous ministers, royal families and high officials.

The mausoleum was built during the Zhenguan period (636) and it is also a classic example of the royal mausoleum in Tang Dynasty. The Empress Zhangsun was the first person buried in Zhao Mausoleum. Took about 107 years to complete, Zhao Mausoleum is home to a large number of cultural relics. The relics bear testimony to the history from early Tang Dynasty to the flourishing Tang Dynasty. A glimpse of the relics is a great way to learn the politics, economy and culture of Chinese Feudal Society, especially the Tang Dynasty.

The mountain where the mausoleum was built stands 1,188 meters above the sea level, and backed up by the highest peak of Jiujun Mountain. The massive mausoleum stretches 12 kilometers along and surrounded by cypresses and pines which can be found all over the place. But the majority of the buildings are not in a good shape, mostly ruins. In 1979, a museum established based on the site of the Zhaoling Mausoleum was opened to the public. Visitors can see a wide variety of cultural relics on display in the museum including Chinese porcelain, red Chinese pottery, colored drawing or pattern and tri-colored glazed pottery of the Tang Dynasty. 

Zhao Mausoleum is really a fantastic place to understand the culture, economy and politics of the Tang Dynasty. As a witness to the development from the beginning of Tang to its eventual prosperity, it is definitely worth your visit while in Xian.