Capital Cities and Tombs of the Ancient Koguryo Kingdom

Guonei city、Wandu Mountain City、King's tombs(14) and Nobles' tombs(26) are located in Ji An City,Silin Province.On the geographical coordinates,their east longitude is from126°07′59″to 126°20′33″，and north latitude is from 41°05′20″to 41°15′00″。

Guonei City and Wandu Mountain City were the capitals of the ealy and middle Koguryo（1-5 century AD）,noted by the fact that its plain city and mountain city were supporting each other and jointly functioning as the capital.Of the Middle Ages cities in Northeast Asia, Guonei City and Wandu Mountain City are both the masterpieces of capital construction.Guonei City is one of the few plain city sites with stone city walls on the ground. The remaining city walls are still firm, solid, good-looking and solemn with the grandiose style of a capital.The Wandu Mountain City,built along the terrain of the mountain and rationally designed, perfectly realizes the harmonious blending of natural environment and human creation. We can still see the magnificent style of the original palaces form the archeological excavation. Guonei City and Wandu Mountain City had served the Koguryo regime as capitals for the longest period of time. They witnessed the splendid civilization which was created by Koguryo and submerged in the long process of history.

In addition to Guonei City and Wandu Mountain City,mow there are nearly 7,000tombs of the Kogruyo period-Donggou Ancient Tombs-in the Tonggou Plain surrounded by mountains. As outstanding ancient tombs in Northeast Asia, they are the precious cultural and art treasure house left over by Koguryo. They have also witnessed the historical advance of its people and regime. Among the ancient tombs, the 10-odd largescale Koguryo imperial tombs represented by General's Tomb and Taiwang Tomb as well as a large number of wall painting tombs of the nobles are the epitome of Koguryo's high architectural and art achievements. The Haotaiwang Stele on the east of Taiwang Tomb carries a piece of inscription with Chinese characters. This is the longest Koguryo literature preserved till today. What is especially important is that the local culture's blending with neighbouring culture, particularly the cultural factors of China's Central Plains, has been fully displayed. These tombs which have been known worldwide, are the masterpieces of ancient Koguryo culture .