The Long Cultural Heritage of the Yellow Emperor's Mausoleum

The Yellow Emperor's Mausoleum is the memorial site of the Chinese ancestor Xuanyuan Huangdi. It is a must-visit destination in Shaanxi tourism, known as the "First Mausoleum of China" and a spiritual symbol of Chinese civilization. Since the third year of Duke Ling of Qin (422 BC) when the first dedicated sacrifice to the Yellow Emperor was held, and after Emperor Wu of Han personally led 180,000 troops to pay tribute in the first year of Yuanfeng (110 BC), the sacrificial activities were established as a national ritual system and have continued to this day. The Yellow Emperor's Mausoleum is located about 1 kilometer north of Huangling County in Yan'an City, Shaanxi Province, on Qiaoshan Mountain, surrounded by the Ju River. It covers a total area of about 23.2 square kilometers and consists of three parts: the mausoleum park, Xuanyuan Temple, and Yinchi Park. The tomb mound is 3.6 meters high with a circumference of 48 meters, preserving its original appearance. Xuanyuan Temple was first built during the Han Dynasty to enshrine a statue of the Yellow Emperor. Inside, there is the "Yellow Emperor’s Hand-Planted Cypress" (over 5,000 years old, known as the "Crown of World Cypress Trees") and other ancient trees. In 1961, it was listed as one of the first national key cultural relic protection units (Ancient Tomb No. 1), and in 2007, it was rated as a national AAAAA-level tourist attraction. The Yellow Emperor's Mausoleum embodies the identity of the Chinese nation and carries the national spirit of "self-improvement and perseverance."