Chinese imperial tombs go viral after joining UNESCO Heritage List
China’s Xixia Imperial Tombs have gone viral following their addition as the country’s 60th UNESCO World Heritage Site, which has increased the number of visitors and online buzz.
The announcement was made on July 11 during the 47th session of the World Heritage Committee in Paris.
Drone footage released on Monday showed the majesty of the “Oriental Pyramids,” located in the foothills of the Helan Mountains in Yinchuan, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region. Covering 40 square kilometers, the site is considered one of the world’s most remarkable imperial mausoleum complexes.
Tourism has surged since the UNESCO listing, with local authorities now limiting daily visitors to protect the site while encouraging off-peak travel. “This year, when I heard that the application for World Heritage was successful, I came to the Western Xia Tombs again. My feeling this year was that there were so many people here,” said one tourist.
Visitors have been captivated by the grandeur of the mausoleums. “At that time, I felt that this building was really magnificent, and I could feel how glorious it was a long, long time ago,” another tourist told Viory.
“They all heard that the Xixia Imperial Tombs in Ningxia were listed as a World Heritage Site, and then came here to admire it. More tourists came from different places just to appreciate the unique style and appearance of the Xixia Imperial Tombs,” one volunteer explained.
Another volunteer added that, “From the first moment I set foot on that place, I felt like I was in contact with ancient relics from many years ago, and I felt like I was in a dialogue with time and space. So I think going to those ruins is very valuable and very tangible.”
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
