Published: 5:00pm, 12 Jul 2025Updated: 6:49pm, 12 Jul 2025
The Western Xia Imperial Tomb complex in northwest China has been designated as a Unesco World Heritage site – a recognition of the site’s importance as a centre of cultural fusion and commercial activity on the ancient Silk Road.
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The group of burial sites, also known as the Xixia Imperial Tombs, officially received the designation from the United Nations cultural body on Friday, according to Chinese state news agency Xinhua.
The site dates back to the Western Xia dynasty (1038–1227), which was ruled by the Tangut people, an ancient branch of the Qiang ethnic group.
The site is located some 30km (19 miles) west of today’s Yinchuan, capital of northwest China’s Ningxia Hui autonomous region.
The 40 sq km (15 square mile) site is home to nine imperial mausoleums, their 271 accompanying subordinate tombs, 32 flood control works sites with walls and discharge trenches, as well as a five-hectare (12 acre) northern architectural complex site for purposes such as worship and management of the tomb area.
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According to Xinhua, the World Heritage Committee said the site was a testament to the cultural fusion and interactions among diverse traditions that occurred during the period.