What form of government was in the Tang empire. Imperial Tang Dynasty in China. Easel painting of the Tang Dynasty

Highest spiritual uplift medieval culture It reached China during the reign of the Tang (618-907) and Song (960-1279) dynasties. At this time, philosophical judgments about the structure of the world turned into a finely developed aesthetic system, artists took pride of place in the first imperial Academy of Painting, opened in the 10th century. Tang art was imbued with high creative pathos. Architecture this time is characterized by the spirit of clear harmony, festivity, monumental grandeur of forms. The Tang cities were powerful fortresses surrounded by walls and ditches, rectangular in plan, with straight highways and quarters divided into separate sections - backgrounds. Every Chinese city was surrounded by a wall (the character "cheng" meant both a city and a wall), so the city walls in China are a unique type of architectural structure. There are northern and southern styles of city fortifications. In the north, walls were erected not only to protect against enemies, but also from floods, towers were built at the four corners of the wall and above the gates. Soldiers lived in these towers. The gates of the main cities were usually protected by semicircular outer fortifications, in which there was an outer gate at right angles to the open main gate. Before the advent of modern artillery, walls were indestructible. In the south, only a few cities could be built symmetrically and on a grand scale, the streets were cramped. In the north, the builders had a lot free space, cities lined up in the form of a rectangle, the city was divided into four parts by two straight streets intersecting in the center. At the intersection was a three-story observation tower with four gates to isolate areas of the city if necessary. For this purpose, warriors and a huge drum were located in the tower, which played the role of a city clock. The city was not divided into rich and poor areas, the houses were mixed. The dimensions of all structures were strictly regulated. Palaces and temples were built according to the general principle: on a wooden frame of lacquered pillars, beams and patterned dougong brackets, on high adobe platforms lined with stone. The characteristic appearance of the buildings was given by a high tiled roof, with corners bent upwards, sometimes double, with wide projections. The arrival of Buddhism in China did not have a significant impact on the style of Chinese temples. Both Taoist and Buddhist temples were built according to the same plan of a Chinese house, modified for religious purposes. The Chinese pagoda has very little in common with Indian Buddhist reliquary temples (stupas). Its form is pre-Buddhist - a multi-storey tower (usually two-storey), with protruding roofs. A distinction is made between the northern and southern style of Chinese architecture (not always exactly following the location of architectural monuments). In the southern style, the roofs are very curved, the ridges of the roofs are often studded with small figurines depicting a variety of Taoist deities and mythical animals. Cornices and supports are decorated with carvings and ornaments. Northern style (another name is palace). The curl of the roof is softer and is compared to the roof of a tent. The ornamentation is less splendid, small and more stylized figures are placed only on the ridges of the roofs.

Monumental Buddhist sculpture Tang time is distinguished by a great proportionality of proportions. Majestic calmness is distinguished by a giant statue of Buddha Vairochans, carved into the rocks Longmen. Painting the Tang era reached the same level as poetry. In the written sources of that era, the names of artists are listed, the features of their style are indicated. the greatest artist Far East Chinese and Japanese connoisseurs considered Wu Daozi. Lee Si-sun and Wang Wei are considered the founders of the northern and southern schools of landscape painting. The difference between schools is not in the belonging of artists to certain geographical regions of China, but in the manner of writing. Followers "northern school" work with hard, strong strokes, for "southern school" characteristic work with an elegant and thin brush. But due to the fact that all the masterpieces of Tang painting fell into the imperial collection, they perished along with the residence of the emperor at the end of the dynasty. During the Song Dynasty from the 11th century, China was subjected to foreign invasions, which in the 13th century ended with the Mongol conquest, which changed the worldview of people. Sung architecture acquired a more intimate and refined character, began to be perceived as part of nature.

Song painting. Painting, of course, was known in more early eras. Its origin dates back to the Han era, when the brush was invented. The use of the brush for writing and painting in China has made the two arts inextricably linked. The hieroglyph became a work of art. The consequence of the unprecedented convergence of calligraphy, poetry and painting was that literary subjects were often used in painting. There were many painters, the range of topics is very wide. Landscape compositions, reflecting the most important natural-philosophical ideas, were distinguished by the greatest perfection. The Confucian doctrine of a virtuous husband was consistent with the painting by the artist Li Cheng of a lonely pine tree on the edge of a gorge. The pine tree symbolically depicted a scholar-official who endured the vicissitudes of court service and steadfastly endures the hardships of fate. In the 9th century, under the auspices of the emperor, calligrapher and poet and painter Hui-zong, the last ruler of the Northern Song, the Academy of Painting was established. The best canvases of that time were collected in the imperial gallery (at least 6 thousand paintings). After the barbarian raids and riots that hit the empire in 1125, the court moved to the new capital of Zhejiang. This city was located in one of the most beautiful places in China. The Zhenjiang area has become an inexhaustible source of inspiration for Chinese artists. A favorite form of image was a panoramic scroll, drawing a wide perspective. One of the great painters of the Xia Gui era depicted the Yangtze, its entire upper course from the wild mountains on the border with Tibet, to the wide valleys of the middle reaches. In the southern cities of China, complexes of small backyard gardens were created. With the extinction of Buddhist monasteries, sculpture gave way to painting. Plots of painting 7-10 centuries. there were also images of a Buddhist paradise, and scenes of feasts, walks of noble beauties. Under the influence of the Buddhist Chan sect, the work of Wang Wei (699-759) developed, in whose landscape painting paths to a poetic interpretation of the world were outlined. During the Song Dynasty, monochrome painting developed, corresponding to a new understanding of space as a symbol of the infinity of the world. In the 9th-10th centuries. formed the main genres of Chinese painting - shang-shup, venzhenyuhua and hua-yao. In accordance with various artistic tasks, the forms of the scrolls were canonized. Horizontal scrolls unfolded in front of the audience, stage by stage, episodes of myths and legends, everyday scenes of the life of the palace, city. Vertical ones made it possible for the landscape painter to create a generalized image of nature. In the 10-11 centuries. a type of paintings arose designed to decorate fans and table screens. The idea of the unity of the world was expressed here through its small fragment. In the 12th-13th centuries. the boundaries between these genres are sometimes almost erased

Chinese arts and crafts The Tang and Song periods are stylistically closely related to the development of porcelain and ceramics.

During the Middle Ages, along with the complication of ideas about the world and the development of ancient Taoist teachings, which synthesized the worship of nature in the system of neo-Confucianism, it took the form of a kind of poetic pantheism in China, and its aestheticization led to the formation of spatial thinking. The pantheistic worldview directed the various species into a single channel. artistic activity. Chinese architects created the genre of landscape architecture, and in portraits, the artists sought to emphasize the familiarization of man with the eternal life of the universe. The figurative and symbolic nature of a medieval Chinese poem, which complements the figurative structure of the picture, requires a high level of calligraphy, painting and poetry.

Guidelines to section.The main thing in the period under review is the manufacturing technique and the spiritual foundations of Chinese painting. Pay attention to the difference between traditional Chinese painting and European painting in the following parameters - painting in China cannot be summed up under the concept of "realism" or "idealism". A different understanding of space than in European painting. Another purpose of the caption to the image, unity and continuity in the artistic performance of the "three perfections".

Yuan era painting(1280-1368) During the reign of the Mongol Yuan dynasty, moods of despondency and nostalgia prevailed among artists. The greatest masters found refuge in the southern provinces. monochrome painting The 14th century achieved unprecedented sophistication and subtlety in conveying shades of mood. In the paintings of Ni Zan and Wang Meng, the images were supplemented with inscriptions full of inner dynamics, fraught with a hidden meaning.

Ming art(1368-1644) Under the Ming Dynasty, China again became an independent power, the country experienced a period of renewal. It was an era of active urban planning, the construction of large and solemn architectural and magnificent garden and park ensembles, and the rapid development of crafts.

It was during the Tang era that appointments to all administrative positions began to be made in accordance with competitive selection based on examinations passed by applicants for a particular position. Those who successfully passed the exam of the special commission received the first degree, and then could try to pass the exam for the second and, if successful, for the third. From among the holders of the third degree, officials of the administrative apparatus were appointed, starting with district chiefs.

Thus, in China, in contrast to Western Europe, the main qualities of the administrator were not his military training and feats of arms, but education and managerial talent. At the same time, the new manager could be a representative of any social stratum: his business qualities and loyalty to the interests of the empire were much more important than his social origin.

To pass the exam, one had to know well the writings of the ancient sages, especially the classical Confucian canons, be able to creatively interpret plots from history, abstractly talk about the topics of philosophical treatises and have a literary taste, be able to compose poetry.

During the Tang Dynasty, the number of cities increased significantly, their wealth grew. This happened primarily at the expense of Buddhist temples. Officials, aristocrats, monks, servants of noble people, representatives of wealthy rural clans, artisans and merchants, actors, doctors and soothsayers lived in the cities. Order in the cities was monitored by special officials and the city guard subordinate to them. They were also responsible for keeping the cobbled streets clean and for the water supply. In rich houses there were baths and pools, for the rest of the population paid city baths were built.

The emperors of the Tang Dynasty sought to extend their power to neighboring states as well. Chinese troops finally subjugated North Vietnam, the Turkic Khaganate and invaded Central Asia, but in 751 they were defeated by the Arabs in the battle on the river. Talas. material from the site

Foreign policy activity required considerable costs, which led to an increase in discontent among the general population. In 874, a grandiose peasant war broke out in China under the leadership of Huang Chao, who in 881 occupied the capital and proclaimed himself emperor. But Huang Chao could not offer any program for the reorganization of Chinese society. He only replaced the Tang officials with his supporters. Therefore, by 884, the forces of the old aristocracy were able to restore their power. However, the power of the later emperors of the Tang Dynasty was extremely fragile. In 907, the last Tang emperor was overthrown, after which a half-century period of internecine wars began. Only in the 60s. 10th century Representatives of the Song Dynasty managed to reunite China under their rule.

The Tang Dynasty of China was founded by Li Yuan. It lasted from June 18, 618 to June 4, 907. The reign of the Tang Dynasty is considered the era of the highest power of the state. During this period, it was significantly ahead of other contemporary countries in its development.

History of the Tang Dynasty

Li Yuan was considered a large landowner. He was from the northern border area, where the Tabgach people lived. These were the descendants of the steppe-toba. Li Yuan and his son Li Shimin (the second emperor of the Tang Dynasty) won the civil war. It was unleashed as a result of the reckless policy of Yang-di. After the death of this emperor, Li Yuan ascended the throne in Chang'an in 618. After a while, he was overthrown by his son. However, the Tang dynasty, founded by him, existed until 907. In 690-705. There was, however, a short break. During this period, the throne was occupied by the Chinese Empress of the Tang Dynasty Zetian. However, her era stands out as a separate royal branch of Zhou.

Ideology

The rule of the Tang Dynasty was carried out by combining two principles. Its founder was well acquainted with the peoples of the Great Steppe, their customs and customs. And many people close to Li Yuan were like that. In the early stages of the existence of the dynasty, active between regions took place. The steppe provided an advanced army, consisting of heavy cavalry. Nomads were attracted by the ancient and sophisticated culture of the Tang Dynasty. For them, Li Yuan was the khan of the Tabgach people, equal to them. Such a perception, in particular, is fixed in the epitaph of Kul-Tegin (the Turkic ruler), who speaks of himself and his subjects as slaves, vassals of the Tabgach Khagan, and not about the Chinese people.

Departure from tradition

The idea of uniting the Steppe and China under the rule of one emperor for centuries determined the external and internal politics countries. However, later the Tabagh branch began to be perceived as something alien. This was mainly due to the large numerical predominance of ethnic Chinese. The government's policy towards the "barbarian" nomads began to be regarded as unacceptable. As Gumilyov wrote, it was this consistent desire to combine the incongruous that led to the rapid flourishing, and then to the rapid fall of the state.

Economy and culture

Order and peace reigned in the state. This made it possible to concentrate all the forces of the population for the good of the country. Agriculture flourished in China, trade and handicrafts were well developed. Weaving technologies achieved new successes, dyeing, pottery, shipbuilding, and metallurgy improved. Land and water routes ran throughout the country. The Tang Dynasty established close ties with Japan, India, Persia, Arabia, Korea and other states. Technology and science began to develop. In 725, masters Liang Lingzan and Yi Xing created the first mechanical clock equipped with an escapement mechanism. Gunpowder weapons began to spread. At first it was a device for fireworks, missiles in the fleet. Subsequently, real guns adapted for firing projectiles began to be made. Tea drinking spread throughout China. The drink has developed a special relationship. Tea art began to develop in the country. Previously, tea was considered a medicine and a food product. The Tang Dynasty gave the drink a special meaning. The names of the great masters of the tea ceremony, Lu Yu and Lu Tong, were immortalized in classical literature.

decline

In the 8th century, several uprisings took place, and military defeats took place. The Tang Dynasty began to weaken. By the 40s. Khorasan Arabs entrenched themselves in Sogdiana and the Ferghana Valley. In 751 passed. In the course of it, mercenary units of Chinese troops left the battlefield. Commander Gao Xianzhi was forced to retreat. An Lushan's uprising soon began. In 756-761. it destroyed everything that the Tang Dynasty had built up over the years. An Lushan formed his state of Yan. It existed from 756 to 763. and occupied the capitals Luoyang and Chang'an, spreading over a large area. There were four emperors in Yan. The suppression of the uprising was quite difficult, despite the support of the Uighurs. The Tang Dynasty was so weakened that subsequently it was never able to achieve its former greatness. She lost control of the territory In this region, the influence of the dynasty ceased until the unification of the two countries by the Mongols.

Provincial governors

The Tang government relied on them and their troops to suppress armed resistance on the ground. The authorities, in turn, recognized their right to maintain an army, collect taxes and pass on their titles by inheritance. However, the influence of provincial governors gradually began to grow. Over time, they began to compete with the central government. The prestige of the government began to decline rapidly in the provinces. As a result, there appeared big number river pirates and bandits, united in numerous groups. They attacked settlements along the banks of the Yangtze with impunity.

Flood

It happened in 858. A flood near the Grand Canal claimed tens of thousands of lives. As a result, the faith of the people in the chosenness of the aging dynasty was shaken. The idea began to spread that the central government had angered the heavens and lost its right to the throne. In 873 there was a catastrophic crop failure in the country. In a number of areas, people hardly managed to collect half of the usual amount. Tens of thousands were on the verge of starvation. In the early days of the Tang dynasty, the Tang dynasty was able to avert the devastating effects of crop failures through significant grain accumulations. By the 9th century, the authorities were unable to save their people.

Additional factor

The decline of the Tang dynasty was also due to the dominance of eunuchs in the court. They formed an advisory body. By the 9th century, eunuchs had sufficient power to influence political decisions and have access to the treasury. Supposedly, they could even kill emperors. In 783-784. The Zhu Qi rebellion took place. After him, the Shengze troops were under the command of the eunuchs. Wen Zong began to actively oppose them after the murder of his elder brother in 817. However, his campaign was not successful.

censuses

The rulers of the Tang Dynasty always sought to know exactly the number of their subjects. This was necessary for military and tax accounting. In the first years of the reign, an easy collection of cloth and grain from each family was established. According to the census of 609, there were 9 million households in the country (50 million people). The next time the recount took place in 742. According to contemporaries, even if some of the people did not participate in the census, the country was inhabited by more people than the Han Empire. According to the data, 58 million people were registered for the second time. In 754, the empire had 1,859 cities, 1,538 districts, and 321 prefectures. The bulk of the population - 80-90% - lived in rural areas. There was a migration of people from the northern regions to the southern ones. This is evidenced by the statistics. In the northern part in the early years of the dynasty, 75% lived, and to recent years only 50%. The population did not grow much until the beginning of the Song era. Since this period, rice production has been actively growing in South and Central China. When processing fields, they began to use developed ones. Due to the rapid development of the economy, the population of the state will at least double.

The last years of the reign

As mentioned above, at the last stage of the dynasty, the influence of provincial governors greatly increased. They began to behave almost like independent, independent rulers. Corruption was widespread in the administration of the imperial court. The central government itself was too incompetent to eradicate it. In addition, adverse climatic conditions had a negative impact on the position of the dynastic family. A drought began everywhere, which led first to crop failure, and then to famine. All this led to popular unrest, which ultimately resulted in large-scale uprisings. The reign of the Tang Dynasty was finally interrupted by a movement led by Huang Chao and later by his followers. Within the ruling class, various groups began to form, entering into constant conflicts with each other. The rebels captured and then plundered both capitals of the state - Luoyang and Chang'an. It took more than 10 years to suppress the uprising of the central government. Despite the fact that the unrest was stopped, the Tang dynasty could no longer bring the state to its former prosperous state. Zhu Wen, who was the leader of the peasant rebels in the past, made a coup in the country. He overthrew the last emperor, Li Zhu, in 907. Zhu Wen, who had participated in the long last rebellion, betrayed Huang Chao. First, he went over to the side of the Tang dynasty. However, later, approaching the court, he overthrew the last king. He created a new dynasty and adopted the temple name Taizu. His coup d'etat marked the beginning of a new period in the country's history. From 907 to 960 There was an era of Ten Kingdoms and Five Dynasties.

Conclusion

The Tang Dynasty lasted a long time. Her reign, however, was successful only in the first part before the break of 690-705. In general, the government of the country was not competent enough. Emperors, with the exception of the first, gave too much power to their subjects. This led to a relatively quick loss of control over the people and the state as a whole.

The North again turned out to be the restorer of the state unity of China. In 581, the throne of the former Northern Wei state passed into the hands of the commander Yang Jian, who founded the Sui dynasty (581-618). Under the second and last emperor of the Sui dynasty, Yang Guang, the Great Canal was built, connecting the basins of the Yellow River and the Yangtze, the Great Wall of China was strengthened and reconstructed.
However, excessive luxury and extravagance of the court, aggressive foreign policy depleted the finances of the state. The aggravated social contradictions led to the outbreak of popular uprisings and rebellions.
In 618, the warlord Li Yuan overthrew Yang Guang and declared himself emperor. The new dynasty was called Tang (618-906).
In 626, the second son of Li Yuan ascended the throne under the name of Taizong (626-649). His twenty-three-year reign was the time when the new empire took on a complete form. Under Taizong, a comprehensive code of laws was formed. The regulations concerning the organization of the bureaucracy reached completeness and refinement, subsequently already unsurpassed. The detailed system of bureaucratic supervision served as a model for subsequent dynasties and neighboring states. There is peace and order in China.
The second outstanding personality of the Tang era was Empress Wu-hou. And the third is Emperor Xuanzong. His long reign (713-756) brought another forty years of peace to the empire. The reign of Xuanzong was the time of the highest rise of the Tang Empire. It was a time of unprecedented brilliance of court life, the heyday of the Tang capitals, remarkable achievements in literature and art.
The Tang era is usually divided into two periods. The first is from the 1920s. 7th century until about the middle of the 8th century. - was characterized by internal progress and the flowering of the external power of the empire. The second - from the middle of the VIII century. before the collapse of the empire at the beginning of the tenth century. - was marked by a gradual political decline, decentralization and incessant pressure from nomads.
In the 7th and 8th centuries China, under the rule of the Tang emperors, was probably the most powerful, civilized, and best governed country in the world. At this time, not only was high level culture, but also a high level of well-being of the whole people.
Political system Tang China retained the features of ancient Chinese despotisms. The power of the emperor - the "Son of Heaven" - was unlimited. The emperor was assisted by a council, which included some of the highest court dignitaries and ministers of six departments. In addition, there were special departments (orders).
The Tang Empire had three capitals: Chang'an, Luoyang and Taiyuan, each of which was ruled by a governor. The entire administration was in Chang'an.
The country was divided into provinces, regions and counties. Each of these administrative units was headed by an official appointed by the emperor. The counties were divided into rural districts. The lowest unit was the rural community - a five-dvorka headed by a headman.
The social organization of the Tang Empire was based on the principle of class division. The main estates were considered: boguan (“service ranks”), which includes the entire set of civil and military ranks, and liangmin (“good people”) - peasants. In addition to these two estates, there was a “vile people” (jianmin), as the slaves were then called.
In the first period, especially in the 7th century, there was a rise Agriculture and crafts. Expanded internal and international trade. The Tang era was a period of remarkable flowering of Chinese science and culture. Woodcut printing appeared - printing from engraved boards, gunpowder began to be used for military purposes, and historical writing developed widely. Tang poets raised the art of versification to an unprecedented height, which remained inaccessible for all subsequent centuries. Confucian ethics becomes a way of life.
But gradually, crisis phenomena are growing in the powerful Tang state. In the 8th century there is a weakening of the allotment system and centralization, an increase in the political fragmentation of the country. China is losing its positions in the west and north.
At the end of 755, the powerful governor of the northeastern outskirts of the empire, An Lu-shan, revolted. An avalanche swept his 160,000-strong army across the Yellow River plain. The capitals fell almost without a fight. An Lu-shan's rebellion caused irreparable damage to the empire. From that time on, she inevitably went to her death.
In the 60-70s. 8th century tax reform was gradually implemented. At the suggestion of the first minister, Yang Yan, all previous taxes and duties were replaced by a single property tax. The free purchase and sale of land was legalized. It marked the official recognition of the decline of the allotment system and the victory of private land ownership.
In the ninth century the financial situation of the empire deteriorated. The price of rice rose sharply. In 873, a terrible drought broke out between the Yangtze and Huang He rivers. Thousands of people were doomed to starvation. Driven to despair, the inhabitants of the villages began to gather in detachments and attack county and regional centers, estates of landowners and monasteries.
The power of the dynasty was finally brought to naught by the second great uprising - the uprising of Huang Chao (881-884). The emperor became a puppet in the hands of warring warlords and provincial governors who fought each other and divided the empire among themselves.
Northern China was captured by Khitan nomads. Small states and principalities arose in the country, and their rulers, fighting with each other, claimed the throne of the Son of Heaven. From 906 to 960 five dynasties succeed each other in the north of China, three of which were founded by the Turks, and ten independent kingdoms arise in the south. In Chinese historiography, this time was called the "Era of the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms."

The most famous tomb of the Tang era in China is the Qianling Mausoleum of Emperor Gao Zong (628-683), 80 km north of modern city Xi'an. You can get to Qianling from Xian by tourist bus number 3, starting from the Main Station. This bus, after the Tang mausoleums, goes even to the Famen temple complex, I once made riddles about it.

The fundamental difference between the imperial tombs of the Tang era and the burials of past dynasties is the refusal to build the notorious Chinese pyramids. The Tang rulers, although they had a huge potential for their empire, still did not tempt fate and build huge mound pyramids-mounds that require large costs and investments. For burials, they began to use natural mountains, in which all the rooms of the tombs were cut through.
Photo from the bus window. Two watchtowers of the Qianling burial complex.

Construction began to take less time, for example, the main structures of the Gao Zong mausoleum were erected in just one year. Yes, and natural mountains looked more impressive than any creations of human hands - the height of the mountain in which the Qianling mausoleum is located is 1069 m above sea level.

Mount Liangshan inside which is the tomb of Gao Zong. It has the shape of a pyramid, so it fits perfectly under the imperial mausoleum.

Peak of Liangshan Mountain

View of one of the slopes. Various ufologists like to demonstrate this slope, as evidence of the man-made Mount Liangshan :)

In addition to the emperor, his wife, Empress Wu-zetian (624-705), was buried in the mausoleum. This woman managed to go down in history, becoming the first Chinese female emperor, in 690 Wu-jietian proclaimed herself the daughter of the Buddha and officially took the title of ruler of China. In fact, it was she who erected most of the buildings in the Qianling Mausoleum, since Madame Wu built this tomb for herself too.
"Alley of Spirits" (shen lu) in Qianling.

Figures of foreign ambassadors. Even in ancient times, for some reason, they all broke off their heads. On the left, the reconstructed gate towers of the Qianling complex.

Empress Wu became famous for the numerous murders of her relatives. Many of her victims, in particular, her granddaughter, Princess Yun tai, were buried next to the mausoleum of the bloodthirsty grandmother (a story about the Yun-tai mausoleum is below)

Like most imperial tombs in China, the Qianling Mausoleum has not been opened or examined by scientists. Only one attempt was made to get inside in 1958. Then they discovered a descending corridor leading deep into the mountains, but no further refinement followed.
In China, it is customary to honor the rest of the ancient emperors, so Chinese scientists are very reluctant to study the imperial tombs. Another thing is the tombs of people with a lower social status - the burial places of concubines, officials and others are opened regularly. It is from these tombs that the bulk of artifacts come to Chinese museums.
Below, general form Qianling mausoleum. Alley of spirits and two watchtowers. Previously, the complex consisted of many buildings and was surrounded by a fortress wall.

Reconstruction of the Qianling burial complex.

View from Mount Liangshan down to the plain. Gray stelae are the tombs of relatives and courtiers of the emperor. Many wanted to rest next to the imperial mausoleum.

Below is a photo of the Qianling Mausoleum, taken at the beginning of the 20th century by members of the French archaeological expedition. I must say that before the complex looked more neglected, but also more romantic, the Chinese are great masters of turning their monuments into Disneyland :)

Winged horse in the alley of spirits in Qianling.

Excavations of the Alley of Spirits of the Qianling Mausoleum in 1909-1918.

The Qianling complex includes many related burials. Three tombs that belonged to members of the imperial family were opened and are now available for inspection.
Unfortunately, due to lack of time, I only visited one of the three tombs. This is the mausoleum of the granddaughter of Emperor Gao-zong Princess Yun-tai (684-701).
Yun-tai was famous for her beauty at the age of 17, but this did not stop her grandmother, Empress Wu-jitian, from poisoning her.
It can be seen that the Yun-tai mausoleum is a classic Chinese pyramid-mound only of a small size.

The ventilation booths in the photo are of modern origin. The tomb was opened in 1961 and is available for inspection. Sometimes the mausoleum is visited by large crowds of tourists, so there is a need for additional ventilation.
Descending corridor of the Yun-tai tomb.

The walls of the corridors of the tomb are covered with frescoes. Apparently, these are copies, the originals were cut out by the Chinese and sent to the Xi'an Museum.

Most of the Chinese tombs have a very simple layout, it is a long corridor descending to two chambers underground. The first chamber served for some ritual purposes, and the second, the tomb itself with a huge sarcophagus. On the sides there may still be small rooms where numerous ceramic figurines of people and animals were stored, designed to accompany the deceased to the world of shadows.

Deeper and deeper...

Small side room for ritual items.

The first room in the tomb of Princess Yun-tai. All cameras here have domed ceilings that do not fit well into the lens.

The frescoes of the Yun-tai tomb are considered masterpieces of painting of the Tang era.

Entrance to the burial chamber. For some reason, the Chinese liked to make very low ceilings in the aisles of the tombs. Apparently, they wanted to make uninvited guests bend down and bow before entering the tomb.

Most of the chamber is occupied by a huge sarcophagus. Unlike the ancient Egyptian sarcophagi, the Chinese ones do not look monolithic. Perhaps they were lowered into the chamber in parts, although it may be that, as in Egypt, the sarcophagus was "laid down" during the construction of the tomb, then only a small passage was left into the chamber.

The steel bars erected here by the current Chinese are supposed to protect the ancient sarcophagus. But it is not clear from what, because you can safely put your hand in and scratch something on a stone, for example. Such a lattice protects against the pressure of a large mass of people, but did the Chinese really think to hold mass demonstrations here :))

The sarcophagus seems to be devoid of any decorations and paintings, but it is not. It is covered with the finest drawings engraved on the stone. The lighting in the burial chamber was poor, so I have given examples of engravings on a similar Tang-era sarcophagus from the Yangling Mausoleum below.