“The Tombs Guard Eternity’s Secrets.”
On my way to Zhengding, we first paused for lunch and a visit to the Hebei Museum in Shijiazhuang, captivated by the treasures unearthed from the tomb of Prince Liu Sheng of the Han dynasty. His jade burial suit and finely wrought ornaments revealed a world where devotion was expressed through craftsmanship, and eternity imagined in jade and stone.
Shunde Cuisine (锅气顺德菜馆)
Shunde cuisine, originating from Foshan’s Shunde district in Guangdong, is often hailed as the “cradle of Cantonese cooking.” Celebrated for its emphasis on freshness and subtlety, it highlights the natural flavors of seasonal produce and live seafood, enhanced by the hallmark of wok hei (锅气) — the smoky aroma born of high-heat stir-frying. Signature dishes such as steamed fish, double-skin milk, and river fish hotpots embody its philosophy of light seasoning and refined technique. The result is a dining experience that feels both comforting and sophisticated, with menus typically featuring seafood, poultry, and vegetables prepared with elegant restraint.
Chicken-in-pig-stomach soup (猪肚包鸡汤) - A hallmark of Shunde cuisine, chicken-in-pig-stomach soup is a rich, restorative dish celebrated for its depth and warmth. A whole chicken is meticulously encased within a cleaned pig stomach and slow simmered in a creamy, peppery broth. The result is tender, succulent meat and a silky, chewy casing that absorbs every nuance of flavor. Infused with white pepper, ginger, and medicinal herbs, the soup offers gentle heat and nourishing comfort — especially cherished in cooler months or as a digestive tonic.
Still unsated and irresistibly drawn back to the glossy roast pigeons, we found ourselves ordering three more. The first round had only whetted our appetite — their crisp mahogany skin and tender; savory meat left us craving that indulgent balance of texture and flavor once again. With disposable gloves at the ready, we learned in for another feast, savoring the ritual of tearing into each bird, bite after bite, until the table echoed with contented silence and the fragrance of Shunde’s mastery lingered in the air.
Hebei Museum (河北博物院)
The Hebei Museum in Shijiazhuang is the provincial museum of Hebei, dedicated to preserving and showcasing the region’s cultural and historical heritage. Established in 1953, it houses collections ranging from ancient bronzes, ceramics, and Buddhist relics to exhibits on the Yan and Zhao states and Hebei’s modern history. Its most celebrated highlights are the treasures from the Western Han tombs of Prince Liu Sheng and his consort Dou Wan, including the iconic jade burial suit sewn with gold thread. With reconstructed tomb chambers, multimedia displays, and over 200,000 artifacts, the museum offers a vivid journey through Hebei’s past and its contributions to Chinese civilization.
Liu Sheng (刘胜), Prince of Zhongshan (中山靖王)
Liu Sheng was a son of Emperor Jing of Han and lived during the Western Han Dynasty, passing away in 113 BCE. Renowned in his time for indulgence in wine and women, he is remembered today for something far more enduring: the discovery of his tomb at Mancheng, Hebei, in 1968. Within lay one of China’s most iconic archaeological treasures — a jade burial suit sewn together with gold thread. Liu Sheng is also regarded as an ancestor of Liu Bei, the famed founder of Shu Han during the Three Kingdoms era.
Liu Sheng's Jade Burial Suit (金缕玉衣)
Before 1968, jade suits sewn with gold or silver thread were considered legends. The discovery of Liu Sheng and Dou Wan’s suits—made of thousands of jade plaques—proved the practice was real. The jade suits symbolized immortality and protection of the body, reflecting the Han dynasty’s fascination with spirits, longevity, and the afterlife.
This photo captures the very first glimpse encountered by the excavation team—a haunting moment when Liu Sheng’s jade burial suit, long sealed in silence, emerged fractured and scattered. The once-pristine garment lay in delicate disarray, its jade plates cracked and displaced, bearing witness to centuries of pressure and time. It was a poignant unveiling: the mythical suit, thought lost to legend, revealed in fragments yet unmistakably real.
Displayed in solemn stillness, Liu Sheng’s jade burial suit is a breathtaking testament to Han dynasty beliefs in immortality and reverence for the dead. Composed of 2,498 meticulously carved jade plaques sewn together with gold thread, the suit envelops the body from head to toe—arms, legs, torso, and even the face—forming a complete shell of protection and spiritual continuity.
DouWan's Jade Burial Suit
.Lying in quiet dignity beside her husband Liu Sheng, Dou Wan’s jade burial suit radiates a softer grace—no less regal, but imbued with a delicate refinement. Composed of hundreds of jade plaques sewn together with precious thread, the suit envelops her form in a shimmering mosaic of protection and reverence.
Coffin Knockers
The ornate dragon-themed artifacts in your photo are ceremonial coffin fittings known as “knockers” (铺首), and yes—they were found attached to the outer and inner coffins of Liu Sheng’s tomb.
Gilt Bronze Rings
This display showcases the gilt bronze rings that once adorned the inner coffin of Liu Sheng, Prince of Zhongshan. The diagram above illustrates how these rings were arranged—symmetrically along the sides of the coffin, with one ring affixed to the flat end and another embedded into the coffin wood. These fittings are not merely decorative; they reflect the ritual precision and craftsmanship of Western Han elite burials.
Ancient Jades
These are jade discs unearthed from Liu Sheng’s tomb—ritual objects deeply embedded in ancient Chinese burial customs. Typically circular with a central hole, jade bi symbolized heaven and cosmic order. In Han dynasty elite burials, they were placed around the body to invoke protection, spiritual elevation, and harmony between the earthly and celestial realms.
The discs in this display vary in size and condition, some chipped or weathered, reflecting both their age and ceremonial use. Their presence in Liu Sheng’s tomb underscores his princely status and the Han belief in jade’s power to preserve the soul and ensure a smooth passage into the afterlife. These are not mere ornaments—they are spiritual instruments, laid down with reverence over 2,000 years ago.
White Jade Double Dragons
Unearthed from the tomb of Liu Sheng, Prince of Zhongshan. Crafted from fine Hetian white jade, it features two dragons carved in openwork, facing each other in a dynamic, cloud-entwined pose. The disc’s circular form with a central hole symbolizes heaven, while the dragons—emblems of imperial power and cosmic vitality—enhance its spiritual resonance.
Its craftsmanship is extraordinary: symmetrical design, fluid lines, and double-sided incised patterns, all executed with precision over 2,000 years ago. As one of the most iconic treasures from Liu Sheng’s burial, it embodies the Han dynasty’s belief in jade as a conduit for immortality and divine protection. This is not just a ritual object—it’s a masterpiece of spiritual artistry.
Glass Dish (玻璃盘) & Glass Eared Cup (玻璃耳杯)
The glass dish Shallow and iridescent, this dish was likely used for ritual offerings or as a funerary item symbolizing refinement. Its surface shows signs of soil oxidation, creating a pearly, jade-like sheen—an effect admired in ancient burial aesthetics.
The glass-eared cup is compact and elegant, with small loop handles (“ears”), this cup may have held wine or ceremonial liquids. Its presence in the tomb reflects Liu Sheng’s princely status and the Han elite’s embrace of exotic materials.
Clay Figurines (陶俑)
These modest, neatly robed figures with hands clasped before them are not warriors but attendants—civil officials rendered in clay. Their orderly presence embodies the Han conviction that the afterlife was a continuation of earthly existence, where the departed should be accompanied by a full retinue of servants and administrators. Such elaborate tomb furnishings were privileges reserved for nobles and royals, a mark of status and authority. In the realm beyond, these figurines were entrusted to serve the deceased, overseeing affairs and preserving dignity for eternity.
Bronze Talking and Singing Figurines (铜说唱俑)
These are Bronze Figurines, delightful Han dynasty sculptures that capture the liveliness of performance in ancient China. Seated with expressive gestures and animated faces, they likely represent entertainers—storytellers, singers, or jesters—who brought joy to aristocratic households and were immortalized in tombs to continue their art in the afterlife. Unlike the solemn officials or warriors often found in burial sites, these figurines reflect the Han belief that laughter, music, and storytelling were essential parts of a well-rounded existence, even beyond death. Their presence adds a human, almost theatrical warmth to the otherwise formal world of funerary art.
Horse Head.s Gear & Ornate Fittings
The horse head model adorned with metal fittings represents ceremonial tack or armor, possibly used in funerary processions or symbolic offerings. Horses were considered noble companions and status symbols, and their inclusion in tombs reflected the deceased’s rank and aspirations for mobility in the afterlife.
Changxin Palace Lamp (长信宫灯)
This is one of the most celebrated treasures of the Western Han dynasty, unearthed in 1968 from the tomb of Dou Wan. Cast in gilded bronze, the lamp takes the graceful form of a kneeling palace maid holding a circular lamp, her raised sleeve ingeniously designed as a hollow conduit to channel smoke into her body, where it was absorbed by water—an early example of environmental awareness and air purification. Measuring about 48 centimeters in height and weighing nearly 16 kilograms, the lamp is both a work of art and a marvel of ancient engineering.
I was so captivated by this masterpiece that I decided to buy a replica magnet.
Bronze Sheep-Shaped Lamp (青铜羊形灯)
The Bronze Sheep-Shaped Lamp with Oilplate Cover is a whimsical yet refined example of Han dynasty craftsmanship, blending utility with symbolic artistry. Cast in the form of a gentle sheep, its hollow body was designed to hold oil, while the plate atop its head served as the burner—transforming an everyday object into a creature of light. Such animal-shaped lamps were not merely decorative; they reflected the Han belief in animism and auspicious symbolism, where animals like sheep represented peace, purity, and prosperity. The lamp’s presence in a tomb, possibly that of Liu Sheng or his consort Dou Wan, suggests it was intended to illuminate the spirit’s journey in the afterlife, offering both comfort and protection. Its charming form and clever design speak to the Han dynasty’s ability to infuse warmth and imagination into even the most practical of objects.
Bronze Scarlet-bird-shaped Lamp (铜朱雀灯)
This lamp unearthed is cast in the form of a mythological scarlet bird—one of the Four Symbols representing the southern sky in ancient Chinese cosmology—it served both a functional and symbolic role. The bird holds a circular lamp tray in its beak, combining elegant design with practical use. Such lamps were not only sources of light but also expressions of status and spiritual belief, embodying the Han dynasty’s fusion of artistry, ritual, and celestial symbolism. Its presence in Liu Sheng’s tomb reflects the princely grandeur and cosmological aspirations of Western Han elite burial culture.
Bronze Incense Burner (博山炉)
This bronze incense burner, shaped with a man riding a mythical beast and topped by a mountain-like lid, symbolizes the Han dynasty’s vision of spiritual ascent. As incense smoke rose through its conical top, it mimicked mist drifting over sacred peaks—merging ritual, artistry, and the quest for immortality.
Ancient Iron Container
This heavily corroded iron artifact appears to be an ancient iron container, possibly used for storage. The cylindrical body, fitted with rusted iron chains and a lid, suggests it may have served a functional role in daily life or burial rituals, such as securing valuables or ritual items. Its current state—marked by deep oxidation and degradation—speaks to its age and long burial, offering archaeologists clues about Han dynasty metallurgy, preservation conditions, and utilitarian design. Though modest in appearance, such objects help reconstruct the material culture of the time, revealing how even the simplest tools carried meaning and purpose.
Ancient Bronze Cup (铜朱雀衔环杯)
Cast in the form of a mythological scarlet bird—one of the Four Symbols representing the southern sky in ancient Chinese cosmology—this bronze lamp served both practical and symbolic purposes. The bird holds a circular tray in its beak, merging elegant design with everyday function. Lamps of this kind were more than sources of light; they embodied status, ritual significance, and a deep connection to celestial beliefs. Their presence in Western Han elite burials reflects a fusion of craftsmanship and cosmological aspiration, illuminating the spiritual grandeur of the age.
Ancient Gold Coins
These lumps served as currency, each weighing approximately 16–18 grams and containing 95–97% pure gold— the standard unit of weight in Han-era monetary systems which is about SGD3000 today.
Ancient Arrow & Bows
Archaeologists uncovered bronze spears, fittings and arrowheads that once belonged to bows and quivers, offering a glimpse into the martial symbolism of Han dynasty burials. Although the wooden bows and strings had long decayed, the surviving metal components reveal the importance of weaponry as both status markers and spiritual guardians. For a prince like Liu Sheng, such items signified vigilance and noble duty, ensuring that he remained a protector even in death. In Han belief, weapons placed in tombs were not meant for battle but for safeguarding the soul’s journey, warding off evil, and affirming the deceased’s authority in the afterlife.
Ancient Chinese Bronze Coins
The bundles of ancient coins found in Liu Sheng’s tomb —round with square holes, strung together in vertical stacks that once symbolized wealth, continuity, and protection in the afterlife. These coins were part of the lavish burial customs of the Western Han dynasty, where nobles like Liu Sheng were interred with objects that reflected both their earthly status and spiritual beliefs. Each bundle likely contained hundreds of coins, representing one to two days’ wages for a laborer at the time. Today, while the metal value of bronze is modest, the historical and archaeological significance of such a bundle elevates its worth dramatically—potentially valued between SGD 300 and SGD 1,000 or more depending on rarity and condition. These coins are not just remnants of an ancient economy; they are tactile echoes of a world where currency was as much about ritual and reverence as it was about trade.
Ancient Armour
The armor is composed of small iron plates meticulously laced together with red cord, forming a protective shell for the torso and shoulders. Flexible woven fabric at the sleeves and hem allowed for mobility, while the vertical strip and tied cords ensured structural integrity. Such armor was likely worn by elite guards or military officers, symbolizing both martial strength and technological sophistication.
Ancient Sex Toy
This museum display features two intriguing bronze artifacts from ancient China, each with distinct form and function—a rare and candid example of Han dynasty sexual culture. Such objects, though seldom discussed, reflect the openness of ancient Chinese attitudes toward intimacy, fertility, and ritual health. They may have served symbolic, medicinal, or even spiritual roles in tomb contexts, emphasizing the continuity of bodily vitality in the afterlife.
At last, the journey through 2,500 years of history ends with a final glance at the souvenir shops. Today’s visit to the Hebei Museum was extraordinary—a place where history is not simply displayed but retold and reimagined. Each artifact whispered of vanished dynasties, each exhibit breathed life into centuries of memory.
My horizons have been broadened once more, enriched by treasures that illuminate the grandeur of ancient tombs and the rituals of those who came before. The experience leaves me with renewed wonder and anticipation, stirring a desire to keep exploring the mysteries of burial customs and the eloquence of relics preserved beneath the earth.
And just like that, we’ve arrived at the final stop on this blog journey—thank you so much for walking alongside me through every story, snapshot, and sensory moment. If you’d like to continue exploring, I’ve gathered links to my other posts from this trip below. Each one offers a different glimpse into the places, flavors, and feelings that made this adventure unforgettable:
In the meantime, I’d love to share a few reflections from our earlier journeys through China. Below you’ll find links to blog posts from past trips—each one capturing a different slice of the country’s charm, from quiet shrines to bustling street corners.
It would mean so much if you had a moment to dive into a few more of the unforgettable adventures we've shared. Each one holds its own story, waiting to be rediscovered.
You're warmly invited to explore my other travel blogs, featuring adventures across France, Japan, China, Thailand, Malaysia, and even a few unforgettable cruises.
Our next adventure will take my MR and me back to Northern Europe — a return to Denmark, where familiar streets and cozy corners await us. From there, we’ll carve out a few days to experience the raw beauty of Iceland, with its glaciers, geysers, and windswept landscapes. And as the seasons turn, spring will bring another chapter: a journey to Taiwan with all six of us together. It will be a time for shared meals, bustling night markets, and family laughter echoing through temples and mountain trails.
To stay connected and catch the latest updates, feel free to follow me on social media: Facebook page: followblueginger, Instagram page : followblueginger , TikTok page: bluegingerkaren and Tumblr page :followblueginger.
Thanks for being part of the journey!
"I travel because seeing photos in books and brochures was not good enough for me, To be there, that was everything"













































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