Western Xia Mausoleum 7 (Shouling)

38.4700°N, 105.9900°E.

Mausoleum of Emperor Renzong of Western Xia (1124–1193 CE), reigned 1139–1193. Located at the foot of the Helan Mountains, 40 km west of Yinchuan, Ningxia province, China. Part of the Xixia Imperial Tombs complex spanning 50 km² with nine imperial mausoleums and approximately 250 attendant tombs of imperial relatives and officials built by the Tangut-ruled Western Xia dynasty (1038–1227 CE). Mausoleum 7 comprises a rammed-earth core measuring up to 30 metres across and 23 metres high, originally encased in fired brick and glazed tiles, positioned within a rectangular outer enclosure 340 × 224 metres with corner watchtowers. Archaeological evidence including post-holes indicates wooden-beam superstructures once crowned the mound. Construction proceeded south-to-north over 190 years. Industrial development in the 1970s submerged the complex; subsequent demolition exposed the mounds. Only Mausoleum 3 has undergone full excavation. The Tangut civilization remains poorly understood despite controlling the Silk Road for two centuries.

The tombs were locked twice: once ceremonially, once by progress.