National Heritage Check-in: Xia Bali Tomb Group (National Level 4), Former Site of Chahar Democratic Government (National Level 7)

Xia Bali Tomb Group (National Level 4): Located in the northeast of Xia Bali Village, Hezi Township, Xuanhua, it is a fourth batch of national key cultural relics protection units, from the Liao Dynasty, classified as ancient tombs. The Xia Bali Zhang Family Tomb is a group of Han mural tombs from the later period of the Liao Dynasty. The owner of Tomb No. 1, Zhang Shiqing, was awarded by the court for his relief efforts for disaster victims. The underground tomb consists of two brick chambers, front and back. The front chamber depicts scenes of horse preparation and entertainment, while the back chamber includes murals of tea preparation, scripture preparation, banquet preparation, and astronomical diagrams. Many door-opening scenes are particularly interesting. Tomb No. 10, the tomb of Zhang Kuangzheng, has not been disturbed by theft and is better preserved. The murals of the Liao tombs in Xuanhua represent the highest level of contemporary folk tomb murals. Copies of the murals can be seen in the National Museum and Zhangjiakou Museum. On-site, you can only see a few backfilled ancient tombs and scattered stone carvings; the underground palace is not open to the public. You can appreciate the Liao Dynasty murals in the museum. ———————— Former Site of Chahar Democratic Government (National Level 7): Located at No. 64, Xuanfu Street, it is a seventh batch of national key cultural relics protection units, from the Qing Dynasty to the Republic of China, classified as important modern historical sites and representative buildings. The former site of the Chahar Democratic Government was originally the Joseph Seminary affiliated with the Xuanhua Catholic Church. The seminary was first built in the 30th year of the Guangxu reign of the Qing Dynasty (1904) and expanded in 1930. The entire building complex is a group of three-entry courtyards with 16 individual buildings, currently preserving 120 rooms. The doors, windows, and columns are decorated with typical European architectural styles. In 1945, the Chahar Democratic Government, the first administrative provincial people's democratic government established under the leadership of the Communist Party of China, was founded here. The site is now converted into the Xuanhua Museum, open from Tuesday to Sunday. Although small in size, it systematically introduces and displays the history of Xuanhua, and also has a restoration display of the Liao tombs. It's worth a visit to walk around and take a look.