Western Qing Tombs

Introduction of Western Qing Tombs

Situated in Yi County of Hebei Province, 120 kilometers southwest Beijing, The Western Qing Tombs are one of the groups of mausoleums of emperors from the Qing Dynasty, which twins with Eastern Qing Tombs. they are one of the most important and valuable ancient mausoleums in Chinese history. In 2000, The Western Qing Tombs was listed by the UNESCO as the World Heritage Site.

The Western Qing Tombs are the eternal sleeping chambers for 4 emperors: Tailing (Yongzheng Tomb), Changling (Jiaqing Tomb), Muling (Daoguang Tomb), Chongling (Gangxu Tomb), 3 queens, and 69 princes, princesses and imperial concubines of the Qing Dynasty. Walled on all sides by green hills, the tombs nestle comfortably on a large plain. The entire area is some 800 square kilometers of hilly land covered by more than 20,000 ancient pines and cypresses, shading the winding paths between the tombs.

Tailing is the mausoleum of Emperor Yongzheng (reigned 1723-1736). It is the largest, earliest and most complete tomb among these and the centre of the Western Qing Tombs. It is said that the tomb was originally positioned in the area of the Eastern Qing Tombs, but Emperor Yongzheng thought the selected place geologically unsuitable and altered it to the present point, viewing this place as more favorable and blessed for an eternal kingdom. The entrance is by an arched bridge where you'll find a Large Red Door and three very gorgeous stone arches (Paifang in Chinese), all they forming a peculiar Siheyuan (traditional residential place with houses around a courtyard).

Not far to the west of the Tailing is the Changling of Emperor Jiaqing (reigned 1796-1820). The 2 mausoleum complexes are nearly identical in terms of the number of buildings and style of architecture and decoration. The rear square rampart of the Changling stands slightly higher than that of the Tailing stands slightly higher than that of the Tailing. The floor in the Hall of Eminent Favor was laid with polished granite marked with natural purple patterns.

5 kilometer west of the Changling is the mausoleum Muling of emperor Daoguang (reigned 1821-1850). built between 1832 and 1836. The scale is not as large as the former two tombs, but it is no less ostentatious and enchanting. The whole of the Long'en Dian is built with Nanmu (a very fragrant and valuable timber) decorated with many vigorous dragons that toss their heads and appear to be flying through the clouds and waves. So this is how a well-known saying, 'Ten thousand dragons collect together to spray their fragrance', spread amongst the people.

Chongling is the mausoleum of Emperor Guangxu (reigned 1875-1908), it is small in size and the last one to be constructed. The construction is mainly made from iron and bronze, which won it the name of 'Bronze Girder and Iron Wall'. The decoration inside is quite flamboyant and glaring to the eye. East of the Chongling stands the mausoleum of Guangxu's concubines. The tombs contain the remains of the famous concubines Zhen and her sister Jin.

Built in 1909, Chongling is the last imperial tomb to be constructed although its occupant was not the last emperor of China. That honor belonged to Emperor Xuantong (Aisin-gioro Puyi), who reigned from 1909 to 1911 and abdicated at the age of 6. Dying as a commoner in 1967, Henry Puyi, as he was also known, unfortunately had no opportunity to share the underground splendor enjoyed by his predecessors.

beijing-travels.com offers online information on Western Qing Tombs and private tours as follows, Keep browsing our site for More Attractions information in Beijing China.

Private tours to the Western Qing Tombs is designed for the natural & cultural lovers, who are interested in exploration of ancient Chinese history that is dominated by the minority Manchu ethnic people, while enjoy the real natural scenery.