The site includes archaeological remains of three cities and 40 tombs: Wunu Mountain City, Guonei City and Wandu Mountain City, 14 tombs are imperial, 26 of nobles. All belong to the Koguryo culture, named after the dynasty that ruled over parts of northern China and the northern half of the Korean Peninsula from 277 BC to AD 668. Wunu Mountain City is only partly excavated. Guonei City, within the modern city of Ji’an, played the role of a ‘supporting capital’ after the main Koguryo capital moved to Pyongyang. Wandu Mountain City, one of the capitals of the Koguryo Kingdom, contains many vestiges including a large palace and 37 tombs. Some of the tombs show great ingenuity in their elaborate ceilings, designed to roof wide spaces without columns and carry the heavy load of a stone or earth tumulus (mound), which was placed above them.
UNESCO World Heritage Site
Capital Cities and Tombs of the Ancient Koguryo Kingdom
The site includes archaeological remains of three cities and 40 tombs: Wunu Mountain City, Guonei City and Wandu Mountain City, 14 tombs are imperial, 26 of nobles. All belong to the Koguryo culture, named after the dynasty that ruled over parts of northern China and the northern
Collections featuring Capital Cities and Tombs of the Ancient Koguryo Kingdom
More UNESCO sites in China
- Ancient Building Complex in the Wudang Mountains
- Ancient City of Ping Yao
- Ancient Villages in Southern Anhui – Xidi and Hongcun
- Archaeological Ruins of Liangzhu City
- Badain Jaran Desert - Towers of Sand and Lakes
- Beijing Central Axis: A Building Ensemble Exhibiting the Ideal Order of the Chinese Capital
- Chengjiang Fossil Site
- China Danxia