Records in Stone: China — The Pyramids They Pretend Are Hills

The Pyramids Nobody Was Supposed to Notice

These structures mark the tombs of emperors, empresses, nobles, and high-ranking officials from the Qin, Han, and Tang dynasties.

One of the structures at the Ming Tombs complex near Beijing, China. The site is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and contains the mausoleums of thirteen emperors of the Ming Dynasty.

Architecturally, they are:

square or rectangular at the base
rising in sloped, stepped, or flattened pyramid forms
covered in packed earth and vegetation
aligned with cosmic or directional principles

They’re not shiny stone like Giza. They’re not volcanic like Mexico. They’re imperial — quiet, massive, hierarchical.

The Eastern Qing Tombs are an imperial mausoleum complex from China's last dynasty. The complex is located near Zunhua, about 125 kilometers northeast of Beijing, and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Seasoning:

The tomb of Emperor Jing has over 3,000 subsidiary tombs radiating around it like a star cluster.

The Tomb of Emperor Jingdi, also called Hanyangling, is an ancient Han Dynasty burial site near Xi'an, China. It's famous for its underground museum and thousands of terracotta figurines. Unlike the larger Terracotta Army, Jingdi's figurines are more miniature and initially featured wooden arms and silk robes that have since decayed. Visitors can walk over glass floors to view the burial pits and artifacts in their original setting, offering a distinctive insight into the burial practices of that period.

The spirit way (sacred path) leading to the Qianling Mausoleum. This Tang dynasty tomb site, located in Shaanxi Province, China, is the final resting place of Emperor Gaozong and his wife, Wu Zetian, the only female emperor in Chinese history.

Some are so subtle that farmers plant wheat right on top of them without knowing.

What is The Terracotta Army?

The Terracotta Army is a vast array of terracotta figures representing Qin Shi Huang's armies, designed to safeguard him in the afterlife. Found in 1974 near Xi'an, it features thousands of life-sized soldiers, horses, and chariots, each with distinct facial features. Initially equipped with real weapons, these statues were crafted with meticulous detail as an alternative to the customary human sacrifices for elite burials.

The Terracotta Army is a vast collection of life-sized sculptures in battle formation near the Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor in Xi'an, China.

Essential Facts about the Terracotta Army

Purpose and Symbolism: Created to accompany and protect the emperor after death, the Terracotta Army marked a significant cultural transition from traditional human sacrifice to the use of symbolic figures.

The Terracotta Army. These life-size sculptures were created to protect Qin Shi Huang, the first Emperor of China, in his afterlife.

Construction: Begun in 247 BCE, the project required the labor of more than 700,000 workers. Craftsmen utilized only eight body part molds, yet every statue was hand-finished to guarantee individualized appearances, including different faces, hairstyles, and expressions.

A close-up of one of the famous Terracotta Warriors.

Scale and Layout: The entire force numbers over 8,000 soldiers, 130 chariots, and 520 horses, all arranged in precise battle formations across various pits. The most enormous pit contains the troop formation, while others house chariots and the military command. The army is positioned facing east, anticipating threats from that direction.

The Terracotta Army, a collection of life-size sculptures which are a form of funerary art, was interred with the emperor in 210–209 BCE to protect him in the afterlife.

Discovery: In 1974, local farmers near Xi'an accidentally uncovered the army while digging a well, leading to one of the most significant archaeological finds related to the Qin dynasty.

A close-up of a Terracotta Warrior, part of the vast Terracotta Army created for the tomb of the first emperor of China, Qin Shi Huang.

Preservation: Originally adorned with vivid colors, the terracotta figures have lost much of their paint due to exposure after excavation. However, ongoing conservation initiatives aim to safeguard and restore the remaining original pigmentation.

A close-up of one of the Terracotta Army figures, part of the Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor in Xi'an, China.

CHINA — Micro-Glossary Block

What the Chinese Called It

Never “pyramids.” Imperial burial mounds were 陵 (líng) — “mausoleum mountain.” Some texts use 山陵 (shānlíng) — “mountain-tomb.” These were cosmic and imperial landscapes, not architectural puzzles. Scattered across Shaanxi Province, especially near Xi’an, stand earth-covered structures with perfect square bases and sloping sides.

Several figures from the Terracotta Army of China. These are life-size statues made of baked clay, created to accompany the First Emperor of China, Qin Shi Huang, to the afterlife and protect his tomb.

Officially, they’re “tumulus burials.” Unofficially, they’re pyramids wearing camouflage.

Some early 20th-century pilots reported spotting “giant white pyramids” from the air. Beijing denied everything.

Then softened it to “hill-like burial mounds.”

The figures of the Terracotta Army of China, near the emperor's mausoleum complex, are equipped with real bronze weapons.

Then, they planted trees on them to make them look like hills.

The result:

China, without intending to, created the world’s most extensive collection of stealth pyramids.

A painted miniature or statue of Qin Shi Huang (259–210 BCE), the first emperor of a unified China. He was the founder of the Qin dynasty and the first person to use the title of "emperor".

The Qin Emperor’s Mausoleum: China’s Underworld City

Qin Shi Huang, China’s first emperor, didn’t build a tomb. He built an underground nation designed to last forever.

Do you know the Terracotta Army?

Great.

Now multiply that by 99. The army is only 1% of the entire mausoleum complex.

The Terracotta Warriors - a collection of life-sized sculptures in China.

The ancient Han Dynasty burial complex near Xi'an, China, including its empress, numerous burial pits, and other structures, covers an area of 20 square kilometers.

A carving or statue of Qin Shi Huang, the First Emperor of China, alongside his officials or warriors.

The underground museum allows visitors to walk over glass-floored tunnels, offering clear views of the excavation pits below where thousands of figurines, animals, chariots, and artifacts are kept. The site features over 50,000 terracotta figurines depicting a variety of subjects, including servants, domestic animals, soldiers, and female cavalry. Initially, these figures were more lifelike, with movable wooden arms and colorful silk clothing.

A view of the Eastern Qing Tombs (Qing Dong Ling), a vast imperial burial complex located in Zunhua, China.

The burial goods were meant to ensure the emperor's prosperity in the afterlife, representing the military strength, economic prosperity, and lifestyle of the Western Han Dynasty. The construction of the tomb was a massive project carried out from 153 to 126 BC. The complex was discovered by chance in 1990 during highway construction.

A stele at the Qianling Mausoleum in Shaanxi Province, China. This mausoleum is the joint tomb of Emperor Gaozong and Empress Wu Zetian, the only female emperor in Chinese history.

Surrounding the emperor’s still-unopened central tomb are dozens of pyramid-shaped earth mounds housing nobles, officials, generals, and key assistants — all arranged on a grid mirroring the imperial capital.

The site is less accessible by public transport, so hiring a tour guide with a driver in Xi'an, China, is a recommended way to get there.

A large stone statue, believed to be of a Ming Dynasty emperor, is located within one of the Ming Tombs near Beijing, China. Visitors often leave money as offerings or for good luck at the base of the statue, as seen in the image. The tombs were constructed according to the principles of feng shui and represent a significant achievement in integrating architecture and landscape art.

Seasoning:

Ancient texts say the Qin tomb contains:

A model of the empire
Mercury rivers represent waterways
a ceiling painted with constellations
mechanical crossbows waiting to shoot unwanted visitors

The Wordless Stele (Wu Zetian Stele) is located at the Qianling Mausoleum in Shaanxi, China. The Qianling Mausoleum is a joint tomb for Emperor Gaozong of the Tang dynasty and his wife, Empress Wu Zetian, the only governing empress in Chinese history. The stele stands over 8 meters tall and weighs nearly 98 tons. It is called "wordless" because it was left blank, purportedly by Wu Zetian herself, to let future generations judge her accomplishments.

Modern soil readings show abnormally high mercury levels in the area.

China’s archaeological response:

“We’ll open it when we can do it safely.”

Translation: probably not in your lifetime.

A large stone bearing the name of the Qianling Museum in China. The text is signed by the prominent Chinese writer and politician Guo Moruo. The Qianling Mausoleum is a Tang dynasty tomb complex located in Qian County, Shaanxi Province, China. It is the final resting place of Emperor Gaozong and his wife, Wu Zetian, who was the only female emperor in Chinese history to rule in her own right.

Explore the desert pyramids of Sudan — the forgotten kingdom of Kush in our previous article in the pyramids' series: Records in Stone: Sudan — The Empire That Outbuilt Pharaohs

This is a sancai (three-color) glazed pottery figure of a horse, likely from China's Tang dynasty (618-907 AD). These tomb figures were often included in high-ranking burials to symbolize wealth and status in the afterlife.

Why China Built So Many Pyramid Tombs

Chinese pyramids grew from cultural logic, not architectural ego.

Imperials believed the afterlife mirrored the earthly bureaucracy
The tomb had to reflect the emperor’s rank
Burial sites obeyed strict feng shui doctrine
Alignments pointed toward cardinal directions, mountains, or sacred rivers

A view of the above-ground stone statues at the Qianling Mausoleum in Shaanxi Province, China. Qianling is a Tang dynasty tomb site and the only Chinese imperial mausoleum where two emperors are buried: Emperor Gaozong and his wife, Empress Wu Zetian, China's only female emperor.

Where Egypt used stone for cosmic permanence, China used earth for cosmic harmony.

Seasoning:

Some tombs were looted so quickly that the emperor barely had time to die before thieves were inside.

Several builders were buried inside the walls to prevent them from revealing the tomb’s secrets.

Efficiency was… extreme.

A view of the Mausoleum of Dr. Sun Yat-sen, a grand memorial dedicated to the "Father of the Republic of China" (1866-1925), in Nanjing, China. It is located on Purple Mountain (Zhongshan Mountain) and is considered a holy land for the Chinese people.

What You Can Actually Visit

Here’s the twist:

Many of China’s pyramid mausoleums stand in military-restricted zones.

The Qianling Mausoleum is a Tang dynasty tomb site located in Shaanxi Province, China.

But some are open:

Maoling Mausoleum — Emperor Wu of the Han dynasty
Qianling Tomb — one of the only co-burials of an emperor and empress
Emperor Jing’s tomb — with its eco-museum and glass floors over excavations

A scale model of the Maoling Mausoleum.

Don’t expect stone giants. Expect quiet, grassy pyramids that feel more like sleeping emperors than monuments.

Seasoning:

Tourists often hike straight onto a pyramid without realizing it.

The emperor underneath probably appreciates the attention.

One of the ancient Chinese pyramids is a large burial mound (mausoleum) for early emperors and their relatives. These structures are located in China, primarily around Xi'an in Shaanxi Province, and are often referred to as the Chinese Pyramids. Unlike the stone pyramids of Egypt, they are typically constructed from earth and mud and covered with vegetation, making them appear more like large, natural hills or mounds.

The Mystery Layer — Without the Nonsense

China’s pyramids have real mysteries, not the YouTube-algorithm kind.

Most of the Qin mausoleum is unexcavated
Many Han and Tang pyramids haven’t been opened

The entrance to the Maoling Museum in Xingping, Shaanxi, China. The museum is located near the Maoling Mausoleum, the burial site of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty (157–87 BCE). It houses over 4,100 cultural relics from the Western Han Dynasty, including stone carvings, gold, silver, and jade artifacts. The site is often referred to as the "Chinese Pyramid" due to its large size and rich burial contents.

Their internal layouts are reconstructed only from tiny neighboring tombs
The actual number of pyramids is unclear because many remain unclassified

China’s official policy: “Excavate only when technology can guarantee zero damage.”

This is both respectable and infuriating.

The Maoling Mausoleum is the final resting place of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty. Located in Xingping, Shaanxi, China, it is known as the "Pyramid of China" for its massive, pyramid-like earthen mound.

Seasoning:

The legendary “White Pyramid of Xi’an” — reported by pilots in the 1940s — was probably the Maoling Mausoleum.

No, it’s not bigger than Giza. But the myth refuses to die because everyone loves forbidden archaeology.

A person plays an ancient Chinese percussion instrument called a bianzhong, or chime bells. The bianzhong has a history of over 3,000 years in China. It consists of a set of bronze bells hung on a large wooden frame. The bells vary in size and are arranged in order of pitch, played using mallets. A famous example is the Bianzhong of Marquis Yi of Zeng, a set of 64 bells from the Warring States period (475–221 BCE) discovered in 1978.

Maoling Mausoleum and Surroundings

Maoling Mausoleum is the largest of the Western Han Dynasty imperial tombs, serving as the burial site for Emperor Wu of Han (Liu Che) and many of his court. Located in Shaanxi Province, it is a massive, pyramid-shaped mound of rammed earth that took 53 years to build. The mausoleum complex also includes subordinate tombs, most notably the Tomb of Huo Qubing, celebrated for its impressive collection of ancient stone carvings.

The famous "Horse Treading on the Hun" (Ma Ta Xiong Nu) stone carving is located at the tomb of General Huo Qubing in the Maoling Museum complex in China. Huo Qubing was a revered military general of the Western Han Dynasty, known for his decisive victories against the Xiongnu (Hun) nomadic confederation. The sculpture depicts a majestic stone horse standing over a fallen Hun invader, symbolizing the general's triumph and the defeat of the aggressors. The carving is considered an important, representative monumental work of art from the Han Dynasty. The tomb complex, located near Xianyang, Shaanxi province, is part of the Maoling Mausoleum area.

Historical significance and construction:

Emperor Wu's tomb: the tomb of Emperor Wu of Han (reigned 141-87 BC).
Massive scale: It is the biggest of the Western Han imperial mausoleums and was constructed over 53 years, starting in 139 BC.
Costly project: The construction was funded by a third of the national taxes and tributes collected at the time.
Construction: The tomb is made of rammed earth and is 46.5 meters (about 153 feet) high, with a square base about 240 meters (about 787 feet) on the side.

A Japanese-style stone lantern is a common feature in traditional Zen gardens. These lanterns, known as Ishi-dōrō in Japan, originated in China and were historically used as votive lights at Shinto shrines and later in tea gardens. They are often made from durable materials, such as natural granite or lava stone, to withstand outdoor conditions. The design in the image appears to be a pagoda-style, single-tier lantern. Such ornaments are used for outdoor decoration in gardens, villas, and hotels to add a sense of peace and serenity.

Key features and surrounding tombs:

The Mausoleum mound: The tomb itself is a large, flat-topped pyramid or trapezoidal mound.
Tomb of Huo Qubing: Located near the main mausoleum, this tomb is famous for its large, realistic stone carvings of animals and figures, including the iconic "Horse Treading on the Hun".

One of the Chinese pyramids, an ancient burial mound or mausoleum for early emperors and their relatives, is located near Xi'an, China. These structures are large, artificial earth hills, often trapezoidal or conical, and covered with vegetation, making them appear natural.

Other tombs: The complex includes over 20 other tombs for imperial consorts, ministers, and nobles.
Maoling Museum: The on-site museum houses numerous artifacts excavated from the mausoleum complex, including the bronze rhinoceros wine vessel and a black jade knocker holder.

A sculpture of a horse, likely made of metal such as brass or bronze, with a polished, golden finish that shows signs of wear and patina.

Visiting and cultural importance:

Attraction status: Maoling is now a nationally protected cultural site and a popular tourist destination.
Cultural heritage: The site showcases the grandeur of the Han Dynasty and is a testament to the era's artistic achievements, particularly its stone sculptures.

A scale model of the grounds of the Maoling Mausoleum, the tomb complex of Emperor Wu of the Western Han dynasty in Xingping, Shaanxi, China. Maoling is one of the most significant imperial tombs from the Western Han dynasty. Construction on the mausoleum began in 139 BCE and took 53 years to complete. The site also includes the nearby tombs of famous Han dynasty generals Huo Qubing and Wei Qing.

The Human Element: China’s Local Tour Guides

Chinese pyramid sites are subtle. Nothing screams, “You are standing on a giant imperial tomb.” To understand what you are actually seeing, you need someone who knows:

The symbolism of layout
The meaning of the tomb orientations

A shortened list of the local tour guides in China registered on the PRIVATE GUIDE WORLD platform.

The function of the satellite burials
Why did some emperors choose hills, others plains
Which areas are safe, restricted, or best at sunset

A structure at the Maoling Mausoleum complex in Shaanxi, China, which is the tomb of Emperor Wu of Han. It is related to the tomb of General Huo Qubing, one of the satellite tombs within the complex. Maoling is the largest, longest-built, and richest funerary mausoleum from the Western Han Dynasty.

On the PRIVATE GUIDE WORLD platform, you’ll find tour guides in Xi’an, China and surrounding cities who specialize in imperial archaeology, cultural landscapes, and the buried cosmologies behind these “invisible pyramids.”

Seasoning:

Local guides often joke that emperors built bigger tombs than palaces because “you live once, but you are dead forever — better invest wisely.”

A patinated bronze inkwell in the "Chinese Dragon" pattern features a stylized dragon relief on the hinged lid.

Closing Note

China’s pyramids don’t compete with Giza.

They don’t have to.

A traditional Chinese garden or temple, identified explicitly as the Nanyue Temple. The architecture features vibrant red beams and green, bamboo-shaped pillars. A circular "moon gate" window with an intricate lattice pattern is a prominent design element.

They’re quiet structures that guard entire underground cities, designed not to impress the living but to serve the dead. Where Egyptian pyramids boast, Chinese pyramids whisper. Where Giza rises to be seen, Xi’an buries itself to be remembered. And somehow, that makes them even more intriguing.

Next in the series: Mexico — where pyramids became mountains, calendars, temples, and sometimes all three at once.

A traditional Chinese garden gate, possibly located in the Qingyan Ancient Town in Guiyang. The scene features a circular "moon gate" (yuèliàng mén) set into a dark brick wall, which is a traditional architectural element in Chinese gardens.

NB:

The builders of these monuments never used the word “pyramid.” That term comes from ancient Greek, not from the civilizations that created these spaces. In their own languages, they spoke of ascension places, sacred mountains, royal afterlife houses, cosmic platforms, and mausoleum mountains. Only modern vocabulary reduces them to a geometric shape. Their true meaning was far more profound.

Aerial view of one of the many ancient Chinese pyramids, which are actually large, earthen burial mounds and mausoleums built for early emperors and their imperial relatives.

The Human Element: China’s Local Guides

China’s pyramid sites are subtle. They don’t announce themselves with dramatic geometry or giant stone façades. Most look like carefully landscaped hills, and many sit inside restricted zones where signage is minimal or nonexistent. Without a local guide, you understand perhaps 10 percent of what you are walking through.

A large gathering of koi or goldfish in a pond.

Chinese guides specializing in Xi’an, Shaanxi, and Henan bring the fundamental structure into focus. They explain how these earthen pyramids fit into imperial ideology, why burial complexes align with certain mountains or cardinal points, and how the mausoleum-city layouts mirror earthly capitals. They also know which sites are open, partially open, or closed to the public — something you will not decipher from maps alone.

A traditional Chinese pavilion located in Jingshan Park, Beijing, China. The pavilion, with its distinctive red pillars and green tiled roof, is representative of the architectural style found in the park, which was once an imperial garden. Jingshan Park offers an alternative to the crowded Forbidden City and features historical structures such as Shouhuang Hall, where Qing Dynasty emperors paid their respects to their ancestors. The park offers scenic views of Beijing and is a popular spot for locals and tourists alike.

A knowledgeable guide can help you:

Decode tomb orientations and feng shui logic
Interpret satellite tombs, ritual avenues, and ceremonial platforms
Understand why entire pyramids were intentionally hidden under planted forests
Navigate what’s accessible vs. military-controlled

The attire, specifically the hanfu style and the mianfu (ceremonial cap), suggests the Yongle Emperor of the Ming Dynasty (reign 1402-1424).

Read the Qin, Han, and Tang cosmological models embedded in the landscape
Time your visit for the most photogenic light and the least crowds
Distinguish which “hills” are pyramids, which are burial mounds, and which are natural formations pretending to be archaeology.

An ornate gateway at the Eastern Qing Tombs complex in China.

For travelers who want more than surface-level sightseeing, this human guidance is essential. Explore and contact active multilingual guides here: China — Private Local Tour Guides.

Read our previous article — Records in Stone: Sudan — The Empire That Outbuilt Pharaohs

Read our next article — For whom will the work of a local tour guide be an occupation for the soul?