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Secondary sourcePhotograph18 June 2016

Tomb of the First Emperor Qin Shi Huangdi, Xi'an

Aaron Zhu · 18 June 2016

A 2016 photograph of the mausoleum mound of Qin Shi Huang near Xi'an, China, where the emperor was buried.

Shows the mausoleum built for Qin Shi Huang's burial, a lasting monument to his reign.

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Wide view of a manicured park with trimmed hedges, lawns, and a sprinkler spraying water. In the center stands a white stone monument with a tiered top and a dark inscribed tablet, in front of a forested hillside with tall conifers.
Aaron Zhu, Tomb of the First Emperor Qin Shi Huang Di, Xi'an, China, 2016.

About this source

What it is

This photograph, taken in 2016 by Aaron Zhu, shows the mausoleum site of Qin Shi Huang near Xi'an. It shows a landscaped park with a stone monument marking the tomb, set against a forested hillside.

Why it matters

The mausoleum is the burial place of Qin Shi Huang, built to honor him after his death. It is famous worldwide, partly because of the terracotta army buried nearby, and remains an important archaeological and historical site reflecting the scale of his power.

Look closer

  • Why do you think the tomb site has been carefully maintained and turned into a park?
  • What does the size and setting of a tomb like this suggest about the person buried there?
  • What is missing from this photo that you might want to know about what lies beneath the ground?

This photograph is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of Emperor Qin Shi Huang on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.

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Excavated pit of the Terracotta Army under a large covered hall. Rows of life-sized clay soldiers stand in long trenches separated by earthen walls, with some clay horses visible at right. Visitors watch from walkways at the edges.Sculpture

Primary source

Terracotta Army

c. 247–209 BCE

Wide view of a landscaped park on a sunny day: a paved plaza in front, a grass lawn, a rectangular hedge with a small white pavilion on a raised mound, tall cypress trees, a wooded hill behind, and groups of visitors.Artifact

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Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor

246–208 BCE

Aerial view of the Great Wall of China at Jinshanling. Stone wall with watchtowers winds along a green forested ridge through hilly terrain, with mountains and cloudy sky in the background.Artifact

Primary source

Great Wall of China

7th century BCE–present, Qin-era sections 3rd century BCE

A rough, brownish stone-like weight with a knob on top, displayed in a glass case on a white base. A green patina inscription plaque with carved characters is set into its front face.Artifact

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Qin Iron Weight with Imperial Edict

221 BCE

A single narrow wooden or bamboo slip, pale yellow-tan, with a dark blackened top end and a pointed bottom end, mounted behind glass on a fabric-covered backing. Several lines of brown-black ink characters are written vertically down its face.Document

Primary source

Liye Qin Slips

Qin dynasty, 3rd century BCE

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