The Zhaojun Tomb

The Zhaojun Tomb is said to be the resting place of Wang Zhaojun, the lady of honor of the Han Dynasty, from 51-53 BC, located on the southern bank of the Dahei River in the suburbs and about 8km to the south of Hohhot. It is now a key protected of the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. The story of Zhaojun's going beyond the Great Walls has since spread among the people. Zhaojun's tomb, a symbol of national unity, has become one of the eight historical scenic spots in Hohhot. In front of the tomb, are tablets with inscriptions and antique exhibition rooms. In the summer time, it is lush and green here. Hence, it is also crowned as "A Tomb Covered with Green".

During the reign of Yuan Emperor of the Han Dynasty (206 B.C. - 220 A.D.), a Hun prince asked for a princess of the Han imperial family. Zhaojun Wang was born in Zigui town south of the county during Western Han Dynasty. In the first year of Jing Ning (33B.C.), the chief Huhanye of the south Huns came to court to seek marriage. In order to keep peaceful and friendly relations between the two nationalities, Zhaojun volunteered to marry Xiong'nu onto the grasslands. She was given the surname of Ning hu. After the marriage, Zhaojun made great contributions to the unity of Han and Huns.

The people built the tomb after she died, the tomb was built with earth. It is 33 meters high. The cemetery centers on the grave. There is a path, decorated archway, stone carving and bronze statue in front of the grave. Of which, the 4-metre-high large bronze statue weighing 5 tons showing Chanyu and Wang Zhaojun riding side by side on horseback is very vivid and splendid. There's a 100-meter stele corridor, in which a great number of inscriptions related to Zhaojun Tomb since the Qing Dynasty are displayed. and the cemetery is 13,000 m², with a 33 meter mound containing Zhaojun's coffin, making it a landmark of the region. The platform and flight of stairs before the tomb are much similar to the Mausoleum of emperors Han in central plain.

Zhaojun Tomb is also known as "Qingzhong" called by the local Mongols, which refers to a legend that in autumn, when grass and trees wither, those plants on the cemetery mound continue to prosper.