Capital Cities and Tombs of the Ancient Koguryo Kingdom

Capital Cities and Tombs of the Ancient Koguryo Kingdom*
UNESCO World Heritage Site
State Party	People's Republic of China
Type	Cultural
Criteria	i, ii, iii, iv, v
Reference	1135
Region**	Asia-Pacific
Inscription history
Inscription	2004  (28th Session)
* Name as inscribed on World Heritage List. ** Region as classified by UNESCO.

Capital Cities and Tombs of the Ancient Koguryo Kingdom added to UNESCO in 2004

Capital Cities and Tombs of the Ancient Koguryo Kingdom is a World Heritage Site (identification number 1135) located in the People's Republic of China. The designated area of the site is located in and around Ji'an, Jilin. The site was designated as a cultural World Heritage Site in 2004, qualifying as such under the first five of the six criteria for cultural heritage sites^[1].

The site contains the archaeological remains of three cities (Wunu Mountain City, Guonei City, and Wandu Mountain City), and forty identified tombs of Koguryo imperial and noble families^[1].

Capital Cities

Wunu Mountain City was the first capital of Koguryo (Goguryeo) Kingdom. Guonei City (Gungnae-seong) and Wandu Mountain City (Hwando) were also capitals of the Koguryo Kingdom^[1].

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 contains many vestiges including a large palace and many tombs^[1].

The Capital Cities of the Koguryo Kingdom are an early example of mountain cities, later imitated by neighbouring cultures. The system of capital cities represented by Guonei City and Wandu Mountain City also influenced the construction of later capitals built by the Koguryo regime^[1].

The capital cities of the Koguryo Kingdom represent a perfect blending of human creation and nature whether with the rocks or with forests and rivers^[1].

Tombs

The site includes archaeological remains of 40 tombs which were built by Koguryo (37 BC – AD 668), one of the Three Kingdoms of Korea, that ruled over northern China and the northern half of the Korean Peninsula^[1].

Some of the tombs have 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. The tombs, particularly the important steel and a long inscription on one of the tombs, shows influence of early Chinese culture on Koguryo. The paintings in the tombs, while showing artistic skills and specific style, are also an example of strong influence from various cultures^[1].

The tombs represent a masterpiece of the human creative genius in their wall paintings and structures^[1].

Notes

1. ^ ^{a b c d e f g h i} UNESCO World Heritage Site. http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1135

See also

• Complex of Goguryeo Tombs, UNESCO world heritage site in Pyongyang, North Korea.
• Ancient Tombs at Longtou Mountain with Mausoleum of Princess Jeonghyo of Balhae, the kingdom that succeeded Goguryeo.

External links

• Capital Cities and Tombs of the Ancient Koguryo Kingdom in UN sit

v • d • e World Heritage Sites in China Ancient Building Complex in the Wudang Mountains · Capital Cities and Tombs of the Ancient Koguryo Kingdom · Classical Gardens of Suzhou · Dazu Rock Carvings · Fujian Tulou · Historic Ensemble of the Potala Palace and Jokhang, including the Norbulingka · The Great Wall · Huanglong Scenic and Historic Interest Area · Imperial Palaces of the Ming and Qing Dynasties in Beijing and Shenyang · Imperial Tombs of the Ming and Qing Dynasties · Jiuzhaigou Valley Scenic and Historic Interest Area · Kaiping Diaolou and Villages · Old Town of Lijiang · Longmen Grottoes · Lushan National Park · Historic Centre of Macau · Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor · Mogao Caves · Mount Emei Scenic Area, including Leshan Giant Buddha Scenic Area · Mount Huang · Mount Qingcheng and the Dujiangyan Irrigation System · Mount Sanqing · Mount Tai (Taishan) · Mount Wutai · Mount Wuyi · Chengde Mountain Resort and its outlying temples including the Putuo Zongcheng Temple and the Puning Temple · Peking Man Site at Zhoukoudian · Ancient City of Ping Yao · Sichuan Giant Panda Sanctuaries · South China Karst · Summer Palace, an Imperial Garden in Beijing  · Temple and Cemetery of Confucius and Kong Family Mansion, Qufu · Temple of Heaven: an Imperial Sacrificial Altar in Beijing · Three Parallel Rivers of Yunnan Protected Areas · Ancient villages in Southern Anhui - Xidi and Hongcun · Wulingyuan Scenic and Historic Interest Area · Yin Xu · Yungang Grottoes

Coordinates: 41°9′25″N 126°11′14″E / 41.15694°N 126.18722°E / 41.15694; 126.18722