Located in Yanling County, Zhuzhou, the Yan Emperor Mausoleum is the resting place of the progenitor[...]
Located in Yanling County, Zhuzhou, the Yan Emperor Mausoleum is the resting place of the progenitor of the Chinese nation, Emperor Shennong, also known as Yan Emperor. Here, ancient trees tower, and the scenery is beautiful. For thousands of years, sacrificial activities in front of the mausoleum have been uninterrupted, with the fragrance of offerings always present.
The Yan Emperor Mausoleum scenic area includes the Yan Emperor Mausoleum Hall, Imperial Stele Garden, Imperial Mountain Stele Forest, Angel Mansion, Sacred Fire Altar, Shennong Hall, Pilgrimage Square, Sacred Virtue Forest, Yan Emperor Mausoleum Archway, Chongde Alley, Lu Yuan Pond, Dragon Brain Stone, Dragon Claw Stone, and Medicine Washing Pond, all distributed along a north-south central axis.
The Yan Emperor Mausoleum Hall, located on the west slope of Yanling Mountain (also known as Imperial Mountain), is the main attraction of the scenic area. The hall features golden tiles and red walls, with a strong Qing Dynasty architectural style, solemn and majestic. Passing through the Wumen Gate, the Ritual Pavilion, the Mausoleum Hall, and the Tombstone Pavilion leads to the tomb of the Yan Emperor. The stone tablet in front of the tomb was written by Shen Daoxuan, the county magistrate in the seventh year of the Daoguang era of the Qing Dynasty. The tomb mound is covered with lush green grass, surrounded by thriving flora.
As one of the progenitors of the Chinese nation, the Yan Emperor has been revered and commemorated by emperors and common people since ancient times. The worship of the Yan Emperor is said to have originated in the folk during the Xia Dynasty and was officially recorded in the Zhou Dynasty, starting with the emperors of the Tang Dynasty and flourishing in the Song Dynasty. Subsequent emperors would hold a ceremony every three years, and after each ceremony, they would erect an imperial stele as a memorial.
In addition to the entrance ticket, items needed for worshipping the Yan Emperor, such as incense, firecrackers, and the ‘safety fruits’ given to tourists by some staff, are charged separately. The opening hours are from 08:00 to 17:00 all year round; from 08:00 to 17:30 for preferential policies.
Children: Children under 14 years old (excluding) are free of charge; children aged 14 (including) to 18 years old (excluding) receive a discount. Elderly: Elderly aged 65 years old (including) and above are free of charge; those aged 60 years old (including) to 65 years old (excluding) receive a discount. Disabled: With valid identification, free of charge. Military retirees: Military retirees with valid identification, free of charge. Students: Full-time undergraduate students with valid identification receive a discount. Veterans: With valid identification, free of charge. Active-duty military personnel: With valid identification, free of charge. Active-duty military personnel’s families: With valid identification, free of charge.
Additional Note: The above information is for reference only; please check the Yan Emperor Mausoleum scenic area for the most up-to-date information on the day of your visit.
