Luoyang / Luoyang Ancient Tomb Museum

"Born in Suzhou and Hangzhou, buried in Beimang."

This is the number one museum I've visited so far! It's China's only museum dedicated to ancient tombs, located adjacent to the Jingling Mausoleum of Emperor Xuanwu of the Northern Wei Dynasty. After touring the museum, you can even explore the interior of the mausoleum. While only the coffin remains, you can get a glimpse into the mausoleum's past.

The starry sky ceiling within the Jingling Mausoleum evokes a uniquely ancient romance. The image of a maid leaning against a door in a Northern Song Dynasty tomb evokes the question: Who is she? What lies beyond? It suggests that the tombs aren't finished yet, reflecting the Song people's fantasy of the afterlife. From ancient times to the present, humanity has yet to answer the question of where death leads.

I've also seen a theory that the woman in the mural is leading the deceased to the afterlife, escorting their souls. Regardless of the context, I find it deeply romantic. There's really little the living can do for the deceased. But whether ancient or modern, the feelings of the living towards the deceased remain the same.

"I hope you live well. You must live well."

Post by Lee Lee Sam | Oct 21, 2025