Koguryo Royal Cities and Tombs of Ji'an

Background

Ji'an lies on the Yalu River: Guonei City is within today's Ji'an, Wandu Mountain City is on a mountain near the city, and royal tombs such as the General's Tomb are scattered around it; the same World Heritage property also includes Wunü Mountain City in Huanren, Liaoning. The property was inscribed in 2004 at the 28th session of the World Heritage Committee and comprises 3 city sites and 40 tombs, 14 of them royal and 26 aristocratic. The Koguryo state lasted from about 37 BCE to 668 CE and was active in Northeast China and the northern part of the neighbouring peninsula. Guonei City was the lowland capital and Wandu Mountain City the mountain city, together forming a paired "lowland city and mountain city" capital system; according to sources, Wandu Mountain City was built in 198 CE and destroyed in 342, served twice as a temporary capital and long remained a military stronghold. The tombs are known for showing the transition from stone-piled tombs to earth-mound tombs, and some chambers have ingenious column-free, wide-span ceilings; mural tombs depicting daily life, mythical animals and ceremonial processions are key material for studying the society and beliefs of the time. The General's Tomb is a seven-tiered stepped stone pyramid tomb; some identify it as the tomb of King Jangsu, but who was buried there has not been confirmed. In 2010 China established the Ji'an Koguryo National Archaeological Site Park, covering the Koguryo World Heritage sites in Ji'an.

Local customs

• Start at the Ji'an Koguryo archaeological site park or museum to get an overview, then see the walls of Guonei City, the mountain paths and palace remains of Wandu Mountain City, the stepped stone General's Tomb and the Gwanggaeto Stele
• by the Yalu River, get a sense of Ji'an's position as a frontier capital. Some mural tombs cannot be visited in situ and are presented through replicas and exhibitions instead, so check what is open before you go.

Travel tips

• The sites are spread across the city and the mountains, so allow a full day and follow the site park's suggested route
• Wandu Mountain City involves a climb, so wear non-slip shoes and bring water, and take it easy when paths are wet or snowy. Opening hours of some tombs and museums change with the season
• refer to official announcements. Most visitors travel first to Tonghua and then take a bus or car to Ji'an, a journey of several hours
• within Ji'an, taxis or hired cars are the usual way between sites. For tickets, refer to official announcements.
• Spring, summer and autumn are the usual visiting seasons, with summer offering the best greenery and river views but frequent rain
• winter is bitterly cold and can be combined with snow scenes and hot springs, but some mountain sites and exhibition areas may shorten their hours or close, so check official announcements before you go.