Ming Tombs and Sacred Way

Burial complex of 13 of the 16 Ming-dynasty emperors, north of Beijing. The 7 km Sacred Way is lined with stone-statue guardians.

The Ming Tombs are 50 km north of Beijing in a valley enclosed by mountains chosen for fengshui. 13 of the 16 Ming emperors are buried here; only Changling (Yongle Emperor's tomb) and Dingling (Wanli Emperor's tomb, opened in 1956) are open to visitors. The Sacred Way (Spirit Way) is the 7 km approach lined with monumental stone statues — pairs of officials, generals, lions, camels, elephants. The combined Sacred Way + Changling visit takes a half-day; many travellers combine with a morning at the Wall (Mutianyu or Badaling).