The Goguryeo Relics and Historic Sites are located in Ji'an City, Jilin Province and Huanren County, Liaoning Province, representing the best-preserved ruins of the Goguryeo Kingdom in China. Inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2004, the site includes 3 capital cities, 12 royal tombs, 26 noble tombs, the General's Tomb and the Stele of King Gwanggaeto, comprehensively showcasing the architectural techniques, culture, art and military defense systems of the Goguryeo civilization (37 BC-668 AD).
Historical Value
Civilization Characteristics
- Duration: 705 years from 37 BC to 668 AD
- Territory: Spanning Northeast China and northern Korean Peninsula
- Cultural Fusion: Blending Han Chinese and Northeast ethnic cultures
World Heritage
- Criteria: Meets UNESCO criteria (i)(ii)(iii)(iv)(v)
- Components: 43 separate relic sites
- Preservation: Best-preserved remains are in China
Main Attractions
Capital City Ruins
- Wunv Mountain City: Early capital in Huanren
- Guonei City: Second capital in Ji'an with remaining walls
- Wandu Mountain City: Military fortress with intact defense system
Royal Tombs
- General's Tomb: Known as "Pyramid of the East", likely tomb of King Jangsu
- Tomb of King Gwanggaeto: Burial site of 19th king with important stele
- Noble Tombs: 26 extant tombs, mural tombs being most precious
Inscriptions & Artifacts
- Stele of King Gwanggaeto: 6.39m tall, records history in 1,775 Chinese characters
- Ranmou Epitaph: Important historical text
- Mural Tombs: Dancing Tomb, Wrestling Tomb etc. depicting social life
Featured Experiences
Cultural Learning
- Goguryeo Museum: Systematic display of artifacts and historical materials
- Archaeological Sites: Some excavation sites open to public
- Academic Lectures: Regular lectures on Goguryeo history
On-site Exploration
- Ancient City Hiking: Trails along mountain city ruins showcasing ancient defense
- Tomb Chamber Visits: Some open tombs allow viewing murals
- VR Restoration: Virtual reality recreates original capital city
Practical Information
Ticket Info
- All-inclusive Ticket: ¥100/person (main sites included)
- Single Site Ticket: ¥30-50/site
- Discounts: Half-price for students, seniors etc.
Opening Hours
- Peak Season (May 1-Oct 31): 8:00-17:30
- Off Season (Nov 1-Apr 30): 8:30-16:30
Transportation
- To Ji'an:
- High-speed rail: ~2.5hrs from Shenyang
- Driving: ~1hr from Tonghua via expressway
- To Huanren:
- Bus: ~3hrs from Shenyang
- Driving: ~2hrs from Benxi via expressway
Travel Tips
- Best Time: May-October for optimal outdoor visits
- Duration: 1-2 days for in-depth exploration
- Essentials: Comfortable hiking shoes, sun protection
- Heritage Protection: Do not touch steles/murals, no flash photography