China: Western Xia Museum

The Western Xia was a powerful kingdom that controlled the Silk Road until it was dismantled by Genghis Khan and the Mongol Empire. Genghis Khan died during the siege of the Western Xia capital. Out of revenge, his successors were ordered to wipe the Tangut people and their history off the map. Because the Mongols destroyed their libraries and cities, the Western Xia were forgotten by the world until the early 20th century, when the mausoleums were “rediscovered” and the ruins began to reveal the secrets of this desert empire. The Western Xia Museum offers a look into this lost civilization – weaponry, clothing, artifacts, arts – all on display here. One of the most fascinating exhibits is dedicated to the Tangut writing system. It looks like Chinese but is significantly more complex (some characters have over 20 strokes. There are also rooms with replicas of what the mausoleums look like inside – truly impressive!