Unveiling the Bronze Legend: A Pilgrimage to the Leitai Han Tomb

The Cradle of China’s Tourism Symbol

1.Located in the Guanli Center of Liangzhou: District, Wuwei City, Gansu Province, the Leitai Han Tomb is a world-renowned archaeological site that serves as the birthplace of the "Galloping Horse Treading on a Flying Swallow" (Ma Ta Fei Yan). This iconic bronze statue, also known as the "Horse Overpowering the Dragon-Sparrow" (Ma Chao Long Que), was unearthed here and has since been designated as the official symbol of Chinese tourism. The site is a critical stop along the Hexi Corridor, offering a profound look into the military and artistic heights of the Han Dynasty.

The Historic Leitai Platform

The tomb is situated beneath a massive rectangular earth platform known as Leitai, which measures 106 meters in length and 60 meters in width. Historically referred to as "Lingjun Tai," legend suggests it was originally built by Zhang Gong of the Former Liang Kingdom. During the Ming Dynasty, a Daoist temple complex called the Leizu Guan (Thunder Ancestor Temple) was constructed atop the platform. Although partially destroyed by the 1927 Wuwei earthquake, the structures were meticulously rebuilt in 1933 and now include the Sanyuan Hall, the Leizu Hall, and the Big Dipper Pavilion, creating a grand atmosphere of spiritual and historical weight.

Architecture of the "Underground Museum"

Discovered accidentally by local farmers in 1969, the tomb is a large-scale brick-chambered burial consisting of front, middle, and back rooms. It is often hailed as an "Underground Museum" due to the sheer volume of artifacts recovered, including over 231 items made of gold, silver, copper, iron, jade, and pottery. The tomb’s construction is a marvel of ancient engineering, utilizing dry bricks reinforced with glutinous rice juice, allowing it to withstand high pressure for nearly two millennia. The interior walls are decorated with unique tree-shaped lamp stands, adding a sense of ritualistic mystery to the subterranean chambers.

The Legacy of General Zhang

Based on inscriptions found on the bronze figures, the tomb is believed to belong to General Zhang and his wife. Zhang served as a high-ranking military official in the Zhangye and Wuwei regions during the late Eastern Han Dynasty (approx. 186–220 AD). The most significant find within the tomb was a grand bronze honor guard consisting of 99 pieces, including 38 horses, 1 chariot, and various armored warriors. Leading this procession was the Galloping Horse, a masterpiece of balance and movement that captures a spirited stallion in full flight, its hoof resting lightly upon a soaring bird. This discovery highlights Wuwei's historical reputation as the hometown of "Heavenly Horses," where fine breeds from the Western Regions were cultivated for the Han Empire.