The Legend Continues at the Han Tombs of Mancheng – Hebei Provincial Museum Visit 02

Liu Sheng, Prince Jing of Zhongshan, was the son of Emperor Jing of Han and the elder brother of Emperor Wu of Han. His fiefdom was located in the area of ​​the ancient Zhongshan Kingdom. He reigned for 42 years, during the transition from the "Reign of Wen and Jing" to the prosperous reign of Emperor Wu of Han in the Western Han Dynasty. His tomb was of extremely high standard, directly reflecting the luxurious life of the princes at that time, characterized by "glory in life and sorrow in death." The Mancheng Han Tombs are the mausoleums of Liu Sheng and his wife Dou Wan. More than 10,000 artifacts were unearthed, many of which are considered national treasures. Among the most famous are two jade burial suits (P20, worn by Dou Wan), the Changxin Palace Lamp (P2), and the gilt-bronze Boshan incense burner (P4). In addition, the Vermilion Bird-shaped Turquoise Bronze Cup with Ring (P3, a cosmetic vessel), the Openwork Double Dragon White Jade Bi (P5), the Gilded Silver Dragon-patterned Bronze Pot (P7), the Gilded Silver Nipples-patterned Bronze Pot (P1), the Fish and Crane Pattern Painted Pottery Basin (P9), the Bear-Foot Bronze Tripod with Pin (P11, an ancient pressure cooker), the Gold-Inlaid Iron Dagger (P13), and the Openwork Dragon and Phoenix Pattern Silver Door Knocker (P19) are all rare and precious artifacts. Comparing the artifacts in this exhibition hall with those from the ancient Zhongshan Kingdom reveals many connections and lineages. A significant difference is that the gilding and silvering technique, which was more visually impressive and less expensive, was widely adopted during the Han Dynasty. It can be said that the grandeur of the Han Dynasty, Liu Sheng's luxurious lifestyle, and the superb skills of the Zhongshan Kingdom artisans combined to create the legendary story of the Mancheng Han Tombs. 📝Note: The Hebei Provincial Museum is very large and has many exhibits; please allow at least 4 hours for your visit. The main permanent exhibition halls are all located in the new South Wing building. It is recommended to visit the exhibitions from the third floor downwards. If time is limited, the two main exhibition halls on the second floor and the Yan State exhibition hall on the third floor are highly recommended.