The Dinjiazha Fresco Tomb is located on the Gobi Desert northwest of Jiuquan Town, 1km away from highway. It was built in the Jin Dynasty, about 1,600 years ago.
The coffin of the tomb was buried 12k deep under ground. The tomb passage is 33m in length, 14m in breadth. The tomb door is 1m in height, 0.9m in length, and 0.98m in breadth with an arch on it. The tomb consists of two chambers, 8.64m in length totally. The floor was paved with bricks with clouds patterns. Paintings on front chamber wall have substantial content, but the frescoes in back chamber is very simple.
Frescoes in the tomb are well preserved on the whole showing great skill. On caisson ceiling painted are lotus petals. Paintings below it are divided into five levels. Each level has its own meanings telling stories of celestial court, the world and hell.
The first level on slope ceiling of four sides was left empty and whitewashed, representing the clear sky with meaning of upright politics. On each side of the ceiling there is a dragon head looking downwards which means domination of all quarters. The Queen Mother sits calmly below the dragon head on the west ceiling. Above her there is bright moon with the fable toad in it. She was said to be the first goddess in China's fairy tales. On the east ceiling below the dragon head there is the red sun in which a gold bird is flying. The East-god sits up properly under it. The East-god and the Queen-mother sit face to face looking at each other.
On the north ceiling there is a celestial horse decorated with red tassels, mounting the clouds and riding the mist, traveling through space freely and easily.
On the south ceiling there is a beautiful white deer amusing herself between the heaven and the earth. The gesture of the deer was gentle and soft and lovely. Beside the deer a angel with a pair of wings is flying upwards.
Below the level of the heaven there are painting of landscape. Trees are green. Birds are flying. Strange animals are wandering. Horses are neighing. They are all have romantic charm of Chinese landscape paintings. |
Asia Travel 
Articles: (
Newest publication