The Allure of Imperial Burial Riches

For centuries, China’s imperial tombs have captivated imaginations not just for their architectural grandeur, but for the priceless treasures concealed within. These burial sites, designed as eternal palaces for emperors and empresses, housed everything from dazzling jewels to sacred artifacts—each item meticulously chosen to accompany the deceased into the afterlife. Yet, this very opulence made them irresistible targets for grave robbers, whose plundering would later expose both the magnificence and vulnerability of these sacred spaces.

The Qing Dynasty (1644–1912) tombs, in particular, became notorious for their lavish burials. Unlike the Ming Dynasty’s complex rituals, Qing funerary customs emphasized personal belongings—objects the rulers cherished in life would follow them in death. But how were these treasures arranged? What made them so desirable to thieves? And what became of them after the tombs were violated?

Inside the Imperial Crypt: How Treasures Were Hidden

### Adorned for Eternity: The Emperor’s Final Attire

Imperial burials followed strict protocols. Emperors like Qianlong were entombed in ceremonial robes—elaborate dragon-embroidered garments, pearl-studded crowns, and jade-studded accessories. Empresses, though lacking the mythical “phoenix crown,” wore gold-and-jeweled headdresses. Even lower-ranking concubines were buried in ornate attire, though their ornaments reflected their status.

### The Mouth’s Secret: Jade and Pearls for the Afterlife

A tradition dating to antiquity, “han kou” (mouth objects) served dual purposes: preventing hunger in the afterlife and silencing the dead to avoid curses. Emperors like Qianlong received jade cicadas, while Empress Dowager Cixi famously held a legendary night-luminescent pearl—reportedly split into two halves that glowed green when united.

### Filling the Void: Treasures as “Tomb Padding”

Beyond personal items, tombs were stuffed with gifts from mourners—jewelry, textiles, even the deceased’s own hair and nails. Cixi’s coffin, for instance, contained a pouch of her clipped nails.

### Sacred Protection: The Mystical “Dharani Cover”

A final layer, the Buddhist “Dharani Cover,” draped over the body. Woven with sacred Sanskrit mantras, these silk shrouds were believed to guide souls to paradise. Cixi’s survived looting—a masterpiece originally studded with 820 pearls.

### The Golden Well: A Tomb’s Beating Heart

Beneath each coffin lay the “Golden Well,” a symbolic pit where emperors like Cixi repeatedly deposited treasures—pearls, gold, and gemstones—during their lifetimes, ensuring the tomb’s geomantic potency.

The Great Raids: When Tombs Became Targets

### 1928: The Infamous Sun Dianying Heist

The most brazen theft occurred in 1928, when warlord Sun Dianying’s troops dynamited their way into Cixi’s and Qianlong’s tombs. Soldiers reportedly recoiled as Cixi’s corpse—initially preserved—suddenly darkened, while Qianlong’s skull was crushed by falling debris.

### The Three Legendary Looted Artifacts

1. Cixi’s Night Pearl: Said to illuminate hair strands at 100 paces, it allegedly went to Soong Mei-ling (Madame Chiang Kai-shek).
2. Kangxi’s Jade Cup: Mythologized for its “dancing dragons” when filled with wine, its whereabouts remain unknown.
3. Qianlong’s Nine-Dragon Sword: A blade so coveted it passed through spy Ma Hansan and dictator Dai Li before vanishing in a 1946 plane crash.

### The Pearl Obsession: “Eastern Pearls” as Status Symbols

Qing elites prized Manchurian freshwater pearls (“dong zhu”). Only emperors and empresses could wear pearl necklaces; Cixi alone took 33,564 pearls to her grave—sewn into clothes, shrouds, and even scattered loose in her coffin.

Aftermath: A Trail of Scattered Treasures

Sun Dianying’s loot fueled corruption at the highest levels:

– Bribes to Power: The night pearl to the Soongs, jade to Dai Li, and gem-encrusted shoes to financier H.H. Kung.
– Black Market Chaos: Gangs like Shanghai’s Green Gang hijacked shipments; dealers in Beijing’s Liulichang profited wildly.
– Mysterious Survivals: Post-1949 excavations found remnants—Cixi’s embroidered shoes, Qianlong’s gold cicadas—now displayed as haunting reminders of loss.

Legacy: From Plunder to Cultural Reckoning

The looting of Qing tombs wasn’t just theft—it shattered the dynasty’s spiritual legacy. For ex-emperor Puyi, the desecration (and the Republic’s tepid response) fueled his collaboration with Japan. Today, recovered fragments in museums spark debates: Should China reclaim overseas-held treasures? Can tombs ever be truly protected?

As archaeologists still pore over fragments in silt-filled crypts, the imperial tombs stand as silent witnesses—to both the zenith of Chinese craftsmanship and the fragility of power against greed. The pearls may be scattered, but their story remains indelibly etched in history.