Eastern Qing Tombs

Introducing Eastern Qing Tombs
Eastern Tombs of the Qing Dynasty were originally constructed from the 18th year of the reign of Emperor Shunzhi, Qing Dynasty in Beijing Municipality. There are 14 cemeteries for emperor, empress, and imperial concubine, and Shunzhi, Kangxi, Qianlong, Xianfeng, Tongzhi, 5 emperors of Qing, and 15 empresses, Xiao Zhuangwen, Rongfei, Cian, Cixi, etc, 136 imperial concubines, 1 young prince, and 5 princesses. The Eastern and Western Qing Tombs inscribed on the World Heritage List in 2000.

Eastern Qing Tombs Fast Facts
• Chinese Name: Qingdongling 清东陵
• Best Time to Visit: April to October
• Recommended Visiting Hours: About 3 to 4 hours
• Things to Do: Photography, Chinese Culture and History, Architecture
• Opening Hours: 08:00-17:00 from Apr to Oct; 08:50-16:00 from Nov to Mar
• Entrance Fee: ¥108/person from Apr to Oct; ¥80/person from Nov to Mar; ¥30/person for Sacrificial Ceremony
• Address: Liupan Village, Zunhua, Tangshan, Hebei Province

What to expect at Eastern Qing Tombs

Principles of Geomancy

The Eastern Qing tombs are located in topographical settings carefully chosen according to principles of geomancy (Fengshui) and comprise numerous buildings of traditional architectural design and decoration. Eastern Tombs of the Qing Dynasty and buildings are laid out according to Chinese hierarchical rules and incorporate sacred ways lined with stone monuments and sculptures designed to accommodate ongoing royal ceremonies as well as the passage of the spirits of the dead. They illustrate the great importance attached by the Ming and Qing rulers over five centuries to the building of imposing mausolea, reflecting not only the general belief in an afterlife but also an affirmation of authority.

Architectures in Eastern Qing Tombs

The architectures in the Eastern Tombs of the Qing Dynasty are magnificent, spectacular and elaborate. In the huge ancient architectural complex comprised of more than 580 single buildings, a dolmen with the widest face width has been well preserved in China. The exquisite simulative wooden structures of the five palaces with six columns and eleven eaves are wonderful workmanship excelling nature.

The most intact Xiaoling Mausoleum Sacred Road more than 6,000 meters long in China fluctuates along with the mountain, showing high artistic appeal. Elegant Buddhist sculptures in the Qianlong Yuling mausoleum are amazing, which is praised as an “unbelievable treasury of stone sculptures” by Panchen Lama. Three golden palaces of Empress Dowager Cixi’s tomb are luxuriously decorated, which are rarely found in the world. In the relief, the phoenix is carved above the dragon, containing much political implication. The entire Eastern Tombs have applied unique and elaborate techniques to both timberwork and stonework, showing the great achievement of palace architectures in the Qing Dynasty. Xiaoling has the most stone sculptures. There are 18 pairs in total with simple and unsophisticated shapes. Yuling Mausoleum (the tomb of Qianlong Emperor) with the largest scale appears to be the most magnificent, while Empress Dowager Cixi’s Putuoyu East Dingling Mausoleum is a supreme exquisite architecture.

At present, only Yuling Mausoleum, the Eastern Empress Dowager’s Tomb, the Western Empress Dowager’s Tomb, and the Xiangfei’s Tomb are open to the tourists among 15 Mausoleums in the Eastern Tombs of the Qing Dynasty.

The Eastern Tombs of the Qing Dynasty can reflect the ups and downs of the Qing Dynasty from the bricks, woods, tiles and stones. The architecture of Xiaoling Musoleum shows the insufficient financial resources at the early stage when the Qing Dynasty was founded in the Central

How to get to Eastern Qing Tombs

From Beijing
• Take a bus at Sihui Long-Distance Bus Station and get off at Zunhua Shimen Toll Station. Then take a cab to the scenic area.
• Take a bullet train from Beijing Rail Station or Beijing South Rail Station to Tangshan Rail Station (1-1.5hours). Then take bus No.6 to the scenic area directly.

Additional travel advice on Eastern Qing Tombs
• Visitors can hire a private guide for interpretation at the ticket hall. Or there is a guide for free in each sightseeing shuttle bus.
• Children and seniors are not recommended to choose a long-distance route or make a climb.