Xuanwu (ch. 宣武帝 pinyin xuan1 wu3 di4) was an emperor of Northern Wei China who reigned from 500-515 in Luoyang, then capital of northern China. He was born Yuan Ke (ch. 元恪 pinyin yuan2 ke4).

Orders

Xuanwu ordered the construction of two caves in honour of his parents Emperor Xiaowen and Empress Wenzhao at the Longmen Grottoes. The caves were to imitate Lingyansi Cave at the Yungang Caves. One more cave was to be constructed for himself, for a total of three caves. However, the project was too ambitious and the political situation changed so that only the middle cave, Binyang Middle Cave, was completed. The additional caves were completed in the Tang Dynasty.

Burial

Xuanwu was buried north of Luoyang. His tomb is now open to the public as part of the Luoyang Ancient Tombs Museum.