Zhaojun Tomb

Zhaojun Tomb is called Green Tomb or Demure Wuerhu in Mongolian, which means Iron Fortress. It's said that each year when the weather gets colder, other grass becomes yellow and withered, while only the grass on this tomb remains green hence the name of Green Tomb. The tomb has been one of eight famous scenes in Hohhot.

Zhaojun Tomb, made of rammed earth, is 33 meters high, occupying an area of 1.3 hectare. In front of the tomb stand bronze statues of Wang Zhaojun and her husband, leader of the Mongolia ethnic group in Han Dynasty riding on galloping horses and a stone inscription written by Dong Biwu. In the backyard, there is a display of tablet inscriptions on Zhaojun Tomb since the Qing Dynasty.

The tomb is surrounded by green grasses and towering ancient trees towering. Standing on the top of the tomb, you can obtain a fabulous views of the vast plains and rolling Yinshan Mountains undulating into the distance.

Wang Zhaojun, also named Qiang, was one of the four well-known beauties in China's ancient Western Han Dynasty. She was born in Ping Village, Xingshan County, Hubei Province and selected to imperial palace because of her beauty. In 33 BC, Huhanye ChanYu, the emperor of Xiongnu, an nomadic ethnic group in the north, came to the Han imperial court and ask to be allowed to become an imperial son-in-law to express his willingness to enter friendly relations with Han.

Zhaojun then married herself off to the grasslands of her own free will. In Xiongnu, she was granted as Ning Huqueshi, the queen in Mongolian. During her life in Xiongnu, she lived in yurt, wore blankets and furs, ate animal meat and drank milk, showing her respect for local customs. Besides, she also made great contributions to remain the good relations between the Han and the Xiongnu group, and won the respect of local people.

In order to commemorate her, the local people built the tomb after her death.

You can visit herdsmen in the suburb and stay overnight at their house or in a yurt. The herdsmen are hospitable, kind and simple, and usually treat the visitors very well. Travelers are advised to bring some souvenirs with along to express you gratitude for being received.

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