The Mysterious Chinese Pyramids
The Chinese Pyramids of Shaanxi Province, China. Photo: Atlas Obscura
Xi'an, Shaanxi, China, is home to numerous mysterious pyramids located alongside the Wei River. Some people believe the pyramids have alien connections.
Where are the Chinese Pyramids?
A map showing Xi’an, where many of the Chinese Pyramids are located.
Shaanxi Province in Central China contains ancient secrets dating back almost 8,000 years. Xi'an, the province's capital, is home to dozens of pyramids situated along the Wei River, while numerous others are scattered throughout different regions of the country.
While some of these monuments feature step-like structures reminiscent of those found in Mesoamerica, many others are simply enormous earthen mounds that conceal intricate underground chambers and passages constructed for the benefit of royalty. The tallest of these pyramids stands at 154 feet, although it was originally 249 feet tall during its prime.
It is widely accepted among archaeologists that China's pyramids were constructed as a means of paying tribute to esteemed emperors and their families.
According to History101.com, some of these tombs contain subterranean palaces, kitchens, and even toilets. Chinese historian Sima Qian once claimed that over 700,000 workers were involved in constructing Qin Shi Huang's tomb, although this figure is now thought to be an exaggeration. British historian John Man suggests that the project likely required 16,000 workers and two years to complete.
Legend has it that Qin Shi Huang had been planning his tomb since his youth, with the site situated at the base of Mount Li. The pyramid was reputed to have been booby-trapped with crossbows and mercury to deter thieves from stealing the emperor's treasures.
Intrigued by these tales, archaeologists explored the mausoleum and discovered unusually high levels of mercury, lending some credence to the legends.
The famous Terracotta Warriors, found near an ancient Chinese pyramid
One of the most astounding archaeological discoveries occurred in 1974, when Chinese farmers stumbled upon over 6,000 terracotta warriors. These statues were left behind to safeguard the emperor and ward off malevolent spirits as he journeyed through the afterlife. The tomb also contained chariots and around 40,000 weapons.
CHinese Pyramids ANd Feng SHui
Another Chinese Pyramid
In 2018, Italian archaeoastronomer Giulio Magli put forward a novel theory regarding China's pyramids, suggesting a possible link to celestial bodies.
Magli is renowned for his expertise in uncovering the astronomical connections to ancient sites in regions like Greece, Egypt, Central and South America.
In addition to examining the pyramids themselves, Magli also explored the potential use of the ancient practice of feng shui in the placement of these royal burial sites.
By studying satellite imagery, he hoped to identify any correlation between the positioning of the pyramids and the stars, given the belief of ancient Chinese rulers that their reigns were divinely ordained.
According to Magli, the emperors of the Western Han dynasty may have chosen to align their tombs with the Earth's cardinal points - north, south, east, and west - to demonstrate their supreme authority over the world.
The Alien Connection to the Chinese Pyramids
There is a group of emperors whose tombs display a noticeable lack of alignment, with some being off by as much as 14 degrees. According to Magli, this off-kilter positioning of the pyramids and burial sites can be attributed to a slight tilt in the Earth's axis as it revolves around the sun. During the construction of the pyramids, they would have aligned with the star Polaris.
Magli posits that in ancient times, Polaris held significant celestial importance. He suggests that certain emperors may have deviated from tradition and opted to construct their tombs in honor of Polaris rather than the Earth.
The first widespread exposure of China's pyramids came from U.S. Army Air Corps pilot James Gaussman, who claimed to have spotted a bejeweled pyramid while flying missions between China and India. On March 30, 1947, the "New York Times" published a story by Colonel Maurice Sheahan, detailing the strange pyramid he had observed in China. Gaussman's photo accompanied the article.
The story soon became connected to theories that linked China's pyramids to both the ancient lost city of Atlantis and extraterrestrial life. Some claimed that Xi'an villagers had passed down stories of their ancestors conversing with "people from the sky."
The “Alien Launchpad” Pyramid
In 2002, CNN reported on a mysterious pyramid situated on Mount Baigong, thousands of miles southwest of Xi’an. Mount Baigong features three caves and pipes that stretch from the mountain to a nearby lake. According to ancient alien theorists, the pyramid was a launch tower intended for extraterrestrial spacecraft. Ancient alien theorists seized upon this story, but Chinese researcher Yang Ji urged the use of scientific methods to verify its authenticity.
Do you think the Chinese pyramids are connected with aliens? Let us know in the comments.
If you enjoyed learning about the Chinese pyramids you might also be interested in the Shining Ones of Ireland or the mysterious disappearance of Vladimir Bastl.
