About the origin of stone drums, there are many versions. One version is that they were unearthed near Yongcheng, Shaanxi and date from 310 B.C. t0 307 B.C. They de-scribe how the crownprince Yingdang improved his literary Ievel and practiced martial skills. The text was written by Yingdang’s teacher and carved by a skilled artisan on ten drum-shaped stones, which were placed in a temple in Yongcheng. Yingdang only reigned four yeabars as King Daowu of the Qin State and left no posterity behind. During the chaotic pe-riod after his death, his teacher had the drums buried at Wuzhiyuan near Yongcheng, with the hope that they couldbe unearthed one day and the facts carved on them could spread to later generations.

Gallery of Treasures of the Forbidden City

Jade Boulder of Da Yu Taming Waters
Everlasting Rule Gold Cup
Gold Stupa
Gold Bells and ade Chime
Imperial Parade Armour
The Gallery of Stone Drums