A Royal Sepulcher Unearthed – My Visit to the South Han Deling & Kangling Tomb Museum, Guangzhou

#gzonbudget Perched in Guangzhou’s Panyu University City, the South Han Deling and Kangling Tomb Museum stands where two royal tombs of the South Han Dynasty (917–971 AD) — the mausoleums of royal brothers Liu Yin (Deling) and Liu Yan (Kangling) — were unearthed in the early 2000s . I arrived mid-morning and spent about 1–1½ hours exploring. The museum’s layout is simple yet evocative: two brick burial chambers with preserved stone structures and artifacts. The Deling Tomb, larger and more monumental, highlights royal burial architecture in Lingnan, while the Kangling Tomb reveals a unique combined altar-chamber design . Finds include exquisite celadon ware, glazed pottery in fruit shapes (pineapple, banana, persimmon…), and wooden or ceramic “spirit objects” (mingqi) that reflect Tang-to-Song burial customs . Admission & Practical Info: • 🕒 Hours: Daily, 09:00–17:00; confirm local closures  • 💴 Fees: Modest (typically CNY10–20); free/discounts for students, seniors—check onsite • 🚗 Access: University City area, Panyu District, Guangzhou; near Guoyi West Rd, Metro/Bus connections  • ♿ Facilities: Fully accessible, bilingual labels, simple visitor centre; ~1 hr for full visit Why It’s Worth Visiting: • 🏺 Rare South Han royal tombs: One of the few royal burial sites from the Ten Kingdoms period in the region, offering rare architectural insight  • 🍈 Playful funerary items: Ceramic fruit shapes signal a southern twist in burial traditions and represent evolutions in mingqi culture  • 🧭 Funerary architecture: Kangling’s altar-tomb layout raises questions about evolving funerary practices in Lingnan during the period  • 🔍 Local historical breakthrough: Excavated in 2003–4, these tombs offer a glimpse into regional power and cultural life during the Five Dynasties & Ten Kingdoms Final Thoughts: The Deling & Kangling Tomb Museum offers an intimate journey into southern China’s royal past—compact, richly atmospheric, and culturally revealing. It’s a low-key yet rewarding stop for history enthusiasts, shedding light on a less-known epoch of Chinese royalty and ritual. Best combined with a broader Panyu cultural walk or visit to nearby archaeological and green spaces.