Sacred Way of Ming Tombs Beijing

When visiting Ming Tombs Beijing, the Sacred Way, also named Divine Road or Shen Dao in Chinese, is not to be missed. It is a path, 7 kilometers long and consisting of the huge Memorial Stone Archway, the Great Red Gate, the Stele Pavilion, the Stone Creatures and the Dragon and Phoenix Gate. Leading to the imperial tombs, the path, slightly curved to fool evil spirits, is lined on either side with willows and remarkable carved stone animals and human figures, considered among the best in China.

In ancient times, it is said that the emperor, known as the Son of the Heaven, would came from Heaven to his country through the Sacred Way, and also return to Heaven through this road. Among the many Sacred Ways, the one at the Ming Tombs is the best preserved and most complete.

The stone statues lined on each side are 12 human figures and 24 animals which are lion, camel, elephant, xiezhi (a mythological unicorn), qilin (one of the four 'divine' animals, the other three are dragon, phoenix and tortoise) and horse.

There are 4 of each of these animals: two standing and two sitting. The lion symbolizes awesome solemnity because of its ferocity. The camel and elephant suggest the vastness of the territory controlled by the imperial court, because they are dependable transport in desert and tropical regions. The xiezhi is said to possess a sixth sense to tell right and wrong and so protects against evil. The qilin, an auspicious symbol, was placed on two sides. The horse, as the emperor's mount, is absolutely indispensable.

After the 18 pairs of stone statues which are all sculpted from whole stones, and larger than life size, comes the Dragon and Phoenix Gate.

The main Sacred Way was built to lead to the ChangLing mausoleum. The statues here were erected between 1436 and 1438. Afterwards, twelve more mausoleums were built. The other Sacred Ways here are branches of the ChangLing Sacred Way.

The Sacred Way, Dingling Tomb and Changling Tomb are the highlights of the 13 Ming Tombs.

Location: located in Ming Tombs, about 50 kilometers north of Beijing center
Opening Hours: 08:30 – 17:30

How to get there

You can take the bus no. 919 at the Deshengmen Xi Station, and get off at Changping Xi Guan Station. Then, you take the bus no. 314 and get off at the Dingling Tomb Station or Changling Tomb Station.

How to get to Badaling Great Wall from Ming Tombs

Take bus no. 314 at Dingling Tomb or Changling Tomb, and get off at Ming Huang La Xiang Gong Station, then take the bus no. 919 (慢) at the South Gate of the Ming Dynasty Wax Museum, and get off at Badaling Great Wall.

Weather/Best Time to Go

Beijing enjoys the humid continental climate with hot humid summers, cold dry winters, shorter spring and autumn. You can have a Beijing tour any time of the year, because it can give fresh feeling by enjoying the special tour of the four seasons.

Spring, summer and autumn are all the best time of year to visit, when the area surrounding the vaults is alive with trees and blooming flowers. It is a good place to visit if you are interested in dynastic history of Ming. Here to forecast Beijing weather of your holiday.

Travel Tips

• The Sacred Way of Ming Tombs is on the way to Badaling Great Wall from Beijing. It is best to arrange the two places in a day.
• You are necessary to consider carefully whether you should enter the underground chambers, because the atmosphere and dull lighting may be a problem for you.