Historic site · HEBEI · UNESCO
Eastern Qing Tombs (Qing Dongling)
清东陵 · Qīng Dōnglíng
About
The largest imperial mausoleum complex in China, housing five Qing Dynasty emperors including Kangxi, Qianlong, and Empress Dowager Cixi, set in a forested valley 125 km east of Beijing.
The Eastern Qing Tombs complex in Zunhua County, Hebei Province, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the most extensive of the Qing Dynasty imperial burial grounds. Five emperors are interred here — Shunzhi (the founding Qing emperor), Kangxi, Qianlong, Xianfeng, and Tongzhi — along with four empresses, including the formidable Empress Dowager Cixi, and numerous consorts. The complex encompasses 48 imperial tombs arranged over an area of approximately 80 km².
The complex follows the strict geomantic principles governing imperial burial: the Changruiling tomb of the Shunzhi Emperor marks the axis, with subsequent emperors and empresses arrayed symmetrically in relation to this founding mausoleum. A 5 km spirit road of stone-carved animals and officials leads to the Xiaoling (Shunzhi's tomb), one of the longest such avenues in China.
The most widely visited specific tomb is that of Empress Dowager Cixi. Her mausoleum, the Puxialing (formally Dingling East), is notable for the extraordinary quality of its decorative programme — the interior walls and ceilings are carved with Buddhist imagery in extreme relief, gilded, and extraordinarily well-preserved. Cixi was notoriously involved in the decoration of her own tomb during her lifetime and spent lavishly on it. The Qianlong Emperor's tomb (Yuling) is also remarkable: the burial chamber walls are incised with complete sutras in Tibetan and Sanskrit.
Both underground palaces (dìgōng) are open to visitors who descend into the burial chambers — a rare experience in Chinese imperial archaeology.
How to get there
Long-distance bus from Beijing's Sihui Bus Terminal to Zunhua (approximately 2.5 hours), then taxi to the tombs. Alternatively, private car hire from Beijing approximately 2 hours.
When to visit
April to October. Autumn colour in the surrounding forest (October) is particularly attractive. Weekdays much quieter than weekends.
Crowds: Significantly fewer visitors than the more famous Ming Tombs near Beijing. Allow most time for the Cixi and Qianlong underground palaces.
UNESCO inscription
“It represents the addition of three Imperial Tombs of the Qing Dynasty in Liaoning to the Ming tombs inscribed in 2000 and 2003. The Three Imperial Tombs of the Qing Dynasty in Liaoning Province include the Yongling Tomb, the Fuling Tomb, and the Zhaoling Tomb, all built in the 17th century. Constructed for the founding emperors of the Qing Dynasty and their ancestors, the tombs follow the precepts of traditional Chinese geomancy and fengshui theory. They feature rich decoration of stone statues and carvings and tiles with dragon motifs, illustrating the development of the funerary architecture of the Qing Dynasty. The three tomb complexes, and their numerous edifices, combine traditions inherited from previous dynasties and new features of Manchu civilization.”
Other attractions in Chengde
Other historic sites in China
- Ancient Villages of Southern Anhui — Xidi and Hongcun皖南古村落—西递、宏村
UNESCO · UNESCO-listed pair of Ming-Qing Huizhou merchant villages in southern Anhui, renowned for whitewashed walls, inky horsehead gables and moon-shaped ponds.
- Anqing Zhenfeng Pagoda安庆振风塔
A seven-storey Ming Dynasty pagoda standing on the bank of the Yangtze River in Anqing, considered one of the finest riverside pagodas in southern China and long used as a navigation landmark by Yangtze river pilots.
- Archaeological Ruins of Liangzhu City良渚古城遗址
UNESCO · UNESCO-listed archaeological site in Hangzhou preserving the remains of a 5,000-year-old city with a sophisticated water-management system, jade ritual culture and social hierarchy — regarded as one of the earliest state-level societies in East Asia.
- Capital Cities and Tombs of the Ancient Koguryo Kingdom高句丽王城、王陵及贵族墓葬
UNESCO · UNESCO-listed capital cities and royal tombs of the Koguryo Kingdom in Jian, Jilin — the Chinese portion of a transnational heritage property shared with North Korea, representing one of the most powerful states of ancient East Asia.
- Classical Gardens of Suzhou (UNESCO)苏州古典园林
UNESCO · UNESCO-listed collection of private gardens in Suzhou — four inscribed in 1997 and five more added in 2000 — representing the pinnacle of Chinese garden design through the refined integration of architecture, water, rock and plant.
- Danba Tibetan Watchtowers丹巴碉楼
Clusters of ancient stone watchtowers rising above Tibetan village complexes in the Dadu River valley, said to be among the oldest surviving examples of Tibetan defensive architecture.
- Drum Tower and Bell Tower鼓楼钟楼
Yuan-dynasty drum and bell towers that kept official time for imperial Beijing. Climbable; daily drum performances.
- Dujiangyan Irrigation System都江堰
UNESCO · 2,300-year-old irrigation system on the Min River. Still in use. UNESCO-listed jointly with Mt Qingcheng. Engineering rather than architecture, but one of the great works.
Other UNESCO World Heritage sites in China
- Ancient Villages of Southern Anhui — Xidi and Hongcun皖南古村落—西递、宏村
UNESCO-listed pair of Ming-Qing Huizhou merchant villages in southern Anhui, renowned for whitewashed walls, inky horsehead gables and moon-shaped ponds.
- Archaeological Ruins of Liangzhu City良渚古城遗址
UNESCO-listed archaeological site in Hangzhou preserving the remains of a 5,000-year-old city with a sophisticated water-management system, jade ritual culture and social hierarchy — regarded as one of the earliest state-level societies in East Asia.
- Badain Jaran Desert — Lakes and Dunes巴丹吉林沙漠—沙山湖泊群
UNESCO Natural World Heritage site in Inner Mongolia — the third largest desert in China, featuring some of the world's tallest stationary dunes and a unique network of freshwater and saline lakes sustained by a still-unexplained subterranean water system.
- Capital Cities and Tombs of the Ancient Koguryo Kingdom高句丽王城、王陵及贵族墓葬
UNESCO-listed capital cities and royal tombs of the Koguryo Kingdom in Jian, Jilin — the Chinese portion of a transnational heritage property shared with North Korea, representing one of the most powerful states of ancient East Asia.
- China Danxia中国丹霞
UNESCO Natural World Heritage site — a serial property of six Danxia landscapes across six provinces, representing China's defining red-cliff-and-pillar sandstone landform type, including Danxia Mountain, Zhangye, Taining and Langshan.
- Classical Gardens of Suzhou (UNESCO)苏州古典园林
UNESCO-listed collection of private gardens in Suzhou — four inscribed in 1997 and five more added in 2000 — representing the pinnacle of Chinese garden design through the refined integration of architecture, water, rock and plant.
- Couple's Retreat Garden耦园
UNESCO-listed Suzhou garden organised symmetrically around a central residence. Less crowded than the four most-visited gardens.
- Drepung Monastery哲蚌寺
Once the largest monastery in the world (10,000+ monks). 8 km west of Lhasa. Active Gelugpa monastery; debating courtyard sessions in the afternoon.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does Eastern Qing Tombs (Qing Dongling) cost to visit?
- Adult entry to Eastern Qing Tombs (Qing Dongling) is ¥120, ¥60 for children. Combined ticket includes multiple tomb sites. Underground palace access included in standard ticket.
- When is Eastern Qing Tombs (Qing Dongling) open?
- Eastern Qing Tombs (Qing Dongling) opening hours: 8:30am–5pm (April–October); 9am–4pm (November–March).
- How long do you need at Eastern Qing Tombs (Qing Dongling)?
- Allow 4–6 hours for Eastern Qing Tombs (Qing Dongling). Add buffer time if you plan to visit at peak season or include nearby sights in the same trip.
- When is the best time to visit Eastern Qing Tombs (Qing Dongling)?
- April to October. Autumn colour in the surrounding forest (October) is particularly attractive. Weekdays much quieter than weekends.
- How do you get to Eastern Qing Tombs (Qing Dongling)?
- Long-distance bus from Beijing's Sihui Bus Terminal to Zunhua (approximately 2.5 hours), then taxi to the tombs. Alternatively, private car hire from Beijing approximately 2 hours.
- How do you avoid the crowds at Eastern Qing Tombs (Qing Dongling)?
- Significantly fewer visitors than the more famous Ming Tombs near Beijing. Allow most time for the Cixi and Qianlong underground palaces.
Spotted something out of date? Submit a correction.
Research
Cross-checked against primary sources
Verified
Address, hours, fees confirmed at the date shown
Updated
Re-verified periodically; corrections welcome