20km northeast of Jiayuguan, in a barren section on the outer limits of the Gobi desert, lies the Xincheng prefecture, within which is contained the Xincheng Wei-Jin Art Gallery (Xincheng weijin mu). The Gallery is actually two tombs that, although known about for quite a while, were not infiltrated until 1972.
Within this area, large stretches between Jiayuguan and Jiuquan, there are over 1,400 tombs built between 220 AD and 419 AD, during the Wei and Jin Dynasties. This area is not overly tourist-filled and as such makes for one of the nicer trips from the town.
This is known as the largest subterranean art gallery in the world, housing numerous, colorful murals on its cold, stone walls. Most of the tombs are familial ones, housing bodies of three or four generations, although currently only tomb number 6 and 7 are open to the public.
The corridors and caves of the tombs are filled with interesting sights: the walls are lined with delicate patterns and lines symbolizing cloud, water, fire, gods and weird animals. The corridors are paved with tiles in diverse flower patterns. Most of the inner chamber walls depict, in colorful murals, the contemporary routine life of the master and mistress, and their various entourages. Others, however, also reflect the political, cultural, military, and scientific development of the Wei and Jin Dynasty age…an insight into this ancient Chinese feudal society.
How to get there: Since fairly few travelers come here, there are no regular public transports. A taxi making a round trip should cost around RMB80.
Opening hours: 8am-7pm daily
Cost: RMB31.
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