Mausoleum of Qinshihuang
About Emperor Qinshihuang
Emperor Qinshihuang was the first emperor in China's history. He was a great politician, leader who unified the country and started off a 2,000-year-long imperial history in China and exerted a far-reaching influence on the subsequent dynasties.
Emperor Qinshihuang seceded to the throng at the age. During the Spring and Autumn Period china experienced a social turbulence and chaos. Though the king remained his position as the overlord, he has no more controlled his vassals, intrigue and vice rampant. The whole country was actually divided into several small states, each with a ruler. In order to expand their territory, strengthening their power, the stronger claimed wars on the weaker regularly, resulting in the disunity and disorder of the country. Qin State gradually became stronger through series of power struggle. In 230 Bc, Yinzheng conquered the other six smaller states and unified the country. He claimed himself the first emperor-shihuang, means the first Emperor.
Although, Emperor Qinshihuang reigned his country for a short period of less than 40 years, he has made great achievements in the social development in Chinese history. To consolidate and protect his newly-established regime, the emperor reformed politics, economy and culture. He had the walls built by collapsed six states along their frontiers linked together and had the Great Wall built. After the founding of the dynasty, Emperor Qin standardized the language and writing of China, which had varied greatly from area to area during the Warring States Period. Also, currency became standardized as a circular copper coin with a square hole in the middle. Measurements and axle length were also made uniform. Many public works projects were also undertaken. He had the walls built by collapsed six states along their frontiers linked together and had the Great Wall built. Roads and irrigation canals were built throughout the country. The famous Ling Canal, located in Xing'an Town, some 70 kilometers away form Guilin in Guangxi Province was built at that time. The century long irritation project now still works very well.
At the same time of taking effective measure to strengthen his country, Emperor Qinshihuang exhausted his resource to built luxurious palaces for personal pleasure. Shortly after his succeeding to his father's throng at the age of 13, the emperor began to build his huge mausoleum for enjoyment after death. Interestingly, Emperor Qinshihuang believed in eternity and he even ordered his ministers to seek for an elixir of immortality.
The emperor died in 259 BC and was buried in the elaborately built mausoleum in Lishan.
Mausoleum of Qinshihuang
Tomb of First Emperor (Qin Shihuang) stands on the foot of Lishan, 30km east to Xi'an. The big tomb integrates with the Lishan mountains, offering unique landscape for sightseeing.
In 246 BC, after Qin Shihuang (means "the first emperor of the state of Qin" in Chinese) ascended the throne of Qin ( a state in that period), he ordered to build his final resting palace. This authoritative emperor left behind the world with great achievement and mysterious royal mausoleum as well. The construction lasted 38 years, confiscating over 720000 corvees and prisoners. Modern surveys of the site show that the mausoleum is indeed divided into an inner sanctuary and outer city. According to historical record, the mausoleum originally has 250000 sq. meters built—up area in the bottom and 115m high. Unfortunately, because of erosion and man-made breach, the mausoleum currently remains 120000 sq. meters in the bottom and 87 meters high. Around the mausoleum, there are lots of accompanying tombs, which consist of 56.25 sq. km tomb area. In addition to the discovered Terracotta Warriors and Bronze Horses, there are more vaults containing other relics being discovered recently. As time goes by, it's bound to discover more relics. Tomb of Qin Shihuang boasts a Chinese history museum, therefore, it's well-known to the outside world.
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