The Egyptian pyramids stand as symbols of a glorious past, while the Xixia Imperial Tombs in Yinchuan, Ningxia Hui autonomous region, hold the stories of a forgotten regime. Though separated by time and distance, these wonders remind us of the enduring echoes of civilizations speaking across the ages.
In the 1930s, German pilot Wulf-Diether Graf zu Castell-Rüdenhausen flew over the Helan Mountains and noticed the cone-shaped mounds below. They looked so much like pyramids that he called them the "Pyramids of the East" in his book Chinaflug. Just like Egypt's pyramids, which have stood for millennia, these earthen tombs are ancient underground palaces — one guarding the Nile, the other lying peacefully at the base of the Helan Mountains, preserving memories of the vanished Xixia regime (1038-1227).
Though separated by great distances, these two civilizations share a surprising connection. The Egyptians built with stone, while the rulers of the Xixia regime shaped their monuments from yellow earth. Both are testaments to humanity's timeless quest to understand life, death, and eternity.
This year marks 70 years of diplomatic relations between China and Egypt, two ancient civilizations whose ties stretch back through the Silk Road. From cultural artifact exhibitions to Chinese archaeologists exploring the Temple of Montu, the two countries are deepening their connection across continents.