Tang Dynasty art shines at Zhao Tomb Museum in Shaanxi

A Tang-era sculpture of a two-headed beast is seen at the Zhao Tomb Museum in Xianyang, northwest China's Shaanxi Province. [Photo: China Plus]

The Zhao Tomb Museum is situated in Xianyang, northwest China's Shaanxi Province.

Tang Dynasty figurines are seen at the Zhao Tomb Museum in Xianyang, northwest China's Shaanxi Province. [Photo: China Plus]

The tomb is the burial site of the second emperor of the Tang Dynasty (618 AD - 907 AD), Li Shimin (598 AD - 649 AD), and around 180 of his subordinates and descendants. Covering a total area of 200 square km, the tomb site took 107 years to build and is reportedly the largest imperial tomb in China's history.

Tang Dynasty figurines are seen at the Zhao Tomb Museum in Xianyang, northwest China's Shaanxi Province. [Photo: China Plus]

The museum has a large number of relics discovered at the tomb site, including many sculptures and figurines. Unlike the Terracotta Warriors, which were originally painted but usually lose their colors by the time they are unearthed, these Tang-era figures have preserved some of their original paint.

A Tang Dynasty sculpture is seen at the Zhao Tomb Museum in Xianyang, northwest China's Shaanxi Province. [Photo: China Plus]

Tang Dynasty figurines are seen at the Zhao Tomb Museum in Xianyang, northwest China's Shaanxi Province. [Photo: China Plus]

Two Tang Dynasty sculptures are seen at the Zhao Tomb Museum in Xianyang, northwest China's Shaanxi Province. [Photo: China Plus]