According to myth, Huangdi, or Emperor Huang, founded the Chinese civilisation and was the first ancestor of the Chinese race.
He lived about 4,000 years ago and his tribe used to rule the middle valley of the Yellow River.
After years of battles, Huangdi conquered much of the Yellow River and was crowned the chief of the tribal union. He was given the title Emperor Huang, or Huangdi in Chinese.
Huangdi was often described as a great inventor - being credited with the invention of weapons such as bows and arrows - and his wife was credited with discovering the silkworm. He also practised medicine and discovered the use of bronze to make coins.
When he died at the age of 110, a yellow dragon is said to have carried him to heaven.
Now a major tourist site of Xian , the mausoleum visited by James Soong Chu-yu yesterday features very little in the way of historic buildings. The main hall was built only two years ago and the altar was added last year.