The Dabaotai Han Tomb is located in Dabaotai Village in the southwestern suburbs of Beijing. Built entirely of wood, it was the tomb of a Yan king of the Western Han Dynasty who was buried about 2,000 years ago. Archeologists excavated the site in the 1970s, uncovering relics invaluable to the historical record of Beijing.

The huge tomb is comprised of burial chamber, antechamber (furnished like an imperial sitting room) and coffin chamber (with five coffins for the emperor). About 15,800 cypress logs went into the massive construction, which was then sealed with charcoal and gypsum to protect against the elements.

Though the tomb did mot escape early grave robbers and vandals, over 400 burial objects of pottery, bronze, iron, jade, agate, lacquer and silk were salvaged. A piece of the earliest decarbonized steel known in China, woven brocade hat ribbons and iron axes stamped with the characters "Yuyang ironsmith," as well as local agricultural products are also on display.

The museum, opened in 1986, is closed every Monday.

Address: South of the Beijing World Park, Fengtai District;

Entry ticket: free of charge;

Opening hours: 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM;

Traffic: Bus No.744;

Tel: 86-10-83612852.

(China.org.cn August 11, 2006)