Western Zhou Chariot Burial Pit in Xian

Western Zhou Chariot Burial Pit in Xian

Western Zhou Chariot Burial Pit Facts

The Western Zhou Chariot Burial Pit Group is a part of the ancient Fenghao Site. The site is the historical ruins of Fengjing and Haojing, which are the capital cities of the Western Zhou Dynasty (11th century BC - 771 BC). The huge Fenghao Site covers six square miles (about 17 square kilometers) in total, stretching across both Mawang and Doumen towns on the two banks of Fenghe River.

Type: Culture & Historical Sites, Chariot Burial Pit 

Address:  Zhangjiapo Village in Mawang Town of Chang'an District in Xian City.

Best Seasons: All year around

Recommended Visiting Hours: about 1-2 hours

Popular Activities: Visit West Zhou Chariot Burial Pit Museum

Opening Hours: 8:00 - 17:00

Ticket: 10 CNY

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Why Visit Western Zhou Chariot Burial Pit?

  1. The Western Zhou Chariot Burial Pit Museum becomes a center to learn about imperial funeral culture of ancient China.
  2. Western Zhou Chariot Burial Pit had also made a great sensation in 1956 when it was first unearthed. The reason being it is deemed to be older than the Terracotta Army by about 600 years.
  3. Instead of pottery figurines, there were real horses and human beings buried in the pits! Although it may sound brutal, the Western Zhou Chariot Burial Pit represents the sacrificial tomb of China’s slavery society in olden times. 

Where is Western Zhou Chariot Burial Pit?

Located near the Zhangjiapo Village in Mawang Town of Chang’an District in Xian City (a place for China tours for students) and on the west bank of the Fenghe River, the Western Zhou Chariot Burial Pit is a typical sacrificial tomb of slave society. Archeologists have confirmed that the system of burying living people with the dead began in the Shang Dynasty (16th – 11th century BC).

History

The system of burying the living with the dead can date back to the Shang Dynasty (16th – 11th century BC). Many slaves were killed or forced to commit suicide, and then buried together with their owners. The slave society peaked during the Western Zhou Dynasty. During that period, horses and carters were buried alive together with their dead master. It was believed then that tombs were their residences after death and hence they still needed to live a comfortable and luxurious life in the spiritual world.

At that time, the chariot decorated in bronze was used in battle and hauled by four horses, while the chariot hauled by two horses and adorned in seashells was used mainly for transport. In the pit, six dead horses crouch directly opposite the chariots. These horses were obviously killed prior to the burial and arranged in this position. Heads of the horses are covered with silver beast-face ornaments. Under the chariot lies a skeleton, supposedly the wheeler of the tomb owner. Western Zhou Chariot Burial Pit was unearthed in 1955. Besides, the research work has provided valuable information both in economic life and metal industry, woodworking and leather production in the Western Zhou Dynasty (11th century BC – 771 BC).

Main Attractions

The Western Zhou Chariot Burial Pit is a newly discovered Western Zhou cemetery. The excavation was excavated at Zhangjiapo in the Chang’an City in 1955. With a length of 5.6 meters (6 yards) and a depth of 2 meters (2 yards), the rectangular pit contains two wooden chariots with a length of 0.68 meters (2 feet), a width of 1.38 meters (4.5 feet) are arranged side by side in the pit with their wheels facing east. Doors with a width of 0.4 meters (1.3 feet) are lay at the rear of the chariots. Every pit contains two chariots, one slave and six horses. One chariot decorated with bronze and comprising of a single shaft is drawn by four horses and was used for battlefield. The other chariot adorned with seashells is drawn by two horses and was used for transport or entertainment purpose.

West Zhou Chariot Burial Pit Museum

The West Zhou Chariot Burial Pit Museum covers an area of 4.6 acres (1.86 hectares), and the exhibition area covers 3,600 square yards (3,000 square meters). Upon entering, one can see the grand main building covered with a red four-corner pavilion roof. Within the building, there are the exhibition hall, two groups of tombs, and seven chariot pits, of which four are excavated.

 The no. 1 pit is subquadrate with a length of 10.8 feet (3.3 m), and there are a chariot, two horses, and a slave buried alive with his deceased master.

The no. 2 pit is the only pit open to the public. Pit no. 2 holds two chariots, six horses, and a slave. The rectangular pit measures 18 feet (5.6 m) long and 6.6 feet (2 m) deep. Two wooden chariots measuring 2 feet (0.68 m) in length by 4.5 feet (1.38 m) in width and standing over 1.5 feet tall (0.45 m) are arranged side by side in the pit with their thills facing east. Doors measuring about 1.3 feet (0.4 m) in width are located at the rear of the chariots. Railings made of small battens stand beside each door. One chariot decorated in bronze was used in battle and hauled by four horses. The other chariot hauled by two horses and adorned in seashells was used mainly for transport. Six dead horses crouch directly opposite the chariots. They were obviously killed prior to the burial and arranged in this position. The heads of the horses are covered with silver beast-face ornaments. Under one chariot lies a skeleton, believed to be the wagoner of the tomb owner. From the number of horses, slaves and ornaments discovered, it’s easy to tell that the owner of the tomb was fairly well off.

The no. 3 pit lies at 65 feet (about 20 m) north of the no. 2 pit, housing a chariot hauled by two horses and a slave. Around 32 feet (10 m) northwest to the no. 1 pit is the no. 4 pit, the largest one that measures 30 feet (9 m) long and 13 feet (4 m) wide. There are three chariots, eight horses and a slave.

How to get to Western Zhou Chariot Burial Pit

Travel with ChinaDragonTours (top recommended)

If you want to get out of the traffic and hassle of navigation, you can book a private tour package that includes visiting, dining and transfer from us. Our local guide and driver will escort you to the Xi’an Western Zhou Chariot Burial Pit in the fastest and most convenient way and take care of all the details. You just have to focus on the visiting.

Independent Travel

Take Bus: Take Bus no. 302,  4-06 or 4-07 to Mawang Station and walk westwards for about 1,000 yards (900 m), then you will arive at the Western Zhou Chariot Burial Pit Museum.

Nearby Attractions

Useful Travel Tips

  1. Travel by special tourism line, you can take midibus to reach Chang ‘an District first, then transfer to other vehicles.
  2. Please don’t touch the relics in the museum. 
  3. Excavated chariots and horses confirm that the metal industry, woodworking and leather production were highly developed during this prosperous period. Valuable and artistic relics made of pottery, jade, bronze, and stone fully reflect the ingenuity and wisdom of the ancient Chinese people. Here you can find relics such as the bronze vessel with the inscription of 43 Chinese characters, spicule, bone arrow, zax, spear, and bronze broadsword.