Local authorities on Tuesday confirmed that the Jingling Mausoleum for imperial concubines located at the Eastern Qing tombs in Zunhua city, Hebei province, was robbed by tomb raiders in the wee hours of October 31, 2015.

Several suspects have been arrested in connection with the robbery, according to authorities. Several pieces of the cultural relics (precious jewelry, ancient clothing and other priceless artifacts) that were stolen have also been recovered.

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The Eastern Tombs of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) is one of the largest, most complete and best preserved mausoleum complex in China. It received worldwide recognition after being included in the UNESCO World Heritage list in 2000. The construction of the complex, which stretches over a total land area of 80 square kilometers, took over 247 years to complete after contruction began in 1661.

The area is surrounded by the Changrui mountain, Jixing mountain, Huanghua mountain and the Yingfie Daoyan mountain. 

A staggering total of five emperors, fifteen empresses, 136 imperial concubines, three princes and two princesses from the Qing dynasty are said to be buried in the area, which explains the fact that the site is full of precious jewelry and other priceless materials.

Nearby villagers have revealed that this is not the first time one of the tombs has been robbed. It is unclear which tomb was robbed, but it is speculated that it was the tomb of Empress Dowager Cixi, which is the most lavishly decorated among the tombs.

Local authorities have now heightened security in the area. 

TagsHebei, Eastern Qing Tombs, China Tomb Robbery