The Tomb of Prince Yide

Situated to the south east of the Qian Mausoleum, this tomb is the resting place of Li Chongrun, the eldest son of Zhong Zong and grandson of Gao Zong and Wu Zetian. Yet another victim of his formidable and self-seeking grandmother, he was sentenced to death at the tender age of just 19 for opposing her autocracy. Officially known as Prince Yide, Li Chongrun was laid to rest in a grand mausoleum decorated with stone lions and other figures and although the columns are no longer whole, the edifice was a tribute to his importance. The tomb comprises a paved way, three arches and seven courtyards together with eight niches that probably would have accommodated statues. There are two chambers, one behind the other; the whole being interlinked by corridors. The complex extends 256.6 meters (841.9 feet) in a north-south direction and is 214.5 meters (703.7 feet) in width and was richly endowed with a large number of fine artefacts. Over a thousand items of ceramic figures, tri-color figurines and pottery as well as items of gold, copper and iron have been found here.

The structure has a remarkable array of murals throughout, forty pieces in all that illustrate the day to day life at the Tang court. Symbols of the Prince, the Black Dragon and White Tiger are featured and the mural of the "parade of the Crown Prince" is of great historical interest as this 2.8 meter (9.10 feet) high picture shows the towers, city walls and other important buildings of the ancient capital city. You can see the guard of honor riding in chariots, on horseback as well as on foot as they prepare to march out from Chang'an in a colorful royal procession.

Other murals illustrate hunts. Members of the Tang court were keen hunters and used specially trained cheetahs to bring down their prey. The cheetahs were presented to the royal family as tribute from client states. This again gives an insight into the strategic influence and importance of the regime.