Nanyue Royal Tomb Museum

Add.: Xianggang Hill (South to China Hotel), Jiefang Bei Lu, Yuexiu District, Guangzhou
Tel: 020 8666 0885

Admission Fee: ￥12 (adult), ￥10(Group)
Open hours: 09:00–17:30 (daily)
Service: Walkie-guide (￥15)

Transportation:
Subway (line2) - Stop of China Hotel
Bus - 5,6,10,21,24,30,33,58,63,101 or 122  (Yuexiu Park Stop)

Exhibition parlour.

Guangzhou boasts a long history of 2213 years.  The Nanyue Royal Tomb, dating back to about 2000 years ago, reveals the very outset and depth of the history.

In BC 204 a general of Qin Dynasty, Zhaotuo, founded the first kingdom in South China, Nanyue (South Yue) in Guangzhou out of Qin's sovereignty. The kingdom lasted for 93 years through five kings' rule across Qin and Han Dynasties. Zhao Mei, Zhaotuo's grandson and second king, was buried in this tomb after his death.

Overlook of tomb chambers.

The site lies at the Xianggang Hill in north-western downtown.  The original slope from hilltop leads you downwards through stone gate into the 20-meter-underground tomb in the hill, as if you were descending into the depth of history.  The 100m2 complex is of huge scale and systematic layout, made up of some 750 gritstone pieces and divided into 7 chambers for different functions in front and rear parts. Rough colorful cloud painting is found on the walls and ceiling of front chamber while remains of bone ashes, clothes, arrow tips and life items are showed where they were in all chambers. Here you are subject to instant and vivid touch of a "living" world beneath of historic luxury.

King's gold-threaded jade suite.

Up to the showrooms you are supposed to experience another kind of abundance and glory of the past. A galaxy of burial items are displayed. Ivory, gold, silver, bronze, iron, pottery, glass, bamboo, jade and lacquer wares demonstrate the striking workmanship of old time.

The most precious is the king's gold-threaded jade suite, which was made of more than 1,000 jade pieces and is the oldest of its kind ever found. Jade suite was believed to be able to preserve the everlasting sound being of human body and soul against evil and perishing. A wide collection of royal seals are another gems, including Zhaomei's. A royal seal means ultimate power in ancient China. And ten iron swords are also worth highlighting, each inlaid with gold and jade.

Guangzhou is a low-profile metropolis of civilians on better part, compared with Shanghai and Beijing. But the Nanyue Royal Tomb Museum gives the high-end presence of the city.

Recommendations:
Tomb chambers, cloud painting in front chamber, king's gold-threaded jade suite, royal seals and iron swords.

(By Ronald Li)

Source: lifeofguangzhou.com

Editor: Ronald Li