Located at the foot of Yongning Mountain in Yi County, Baoding City, Hebei Province, the Western Qing Tombs is a national 5A-level scenic area and UNESCO World Heritage Site. Along with the Eastern Qing Tombs, it forms the two major imperial burial complexes of the Qing Dynasty, containing tombs of four emperors (Yongzheng, Jiaqing, Daoguang, Guangxu) and their consorts - one of China's largest and best-preserved imperial mausoleum groups.
Layout
- Area: ~800 sq.km, larger than urban Beijing.
- Main Tombs: Tailing (Yongzheng), Changling (Jiaqing), Muling (Daoguang), Chongling (Guangxu).
- Architecture: Each tomb follows hierarchical protocols yet has unique features.
Main Attractions
- Tailing: Largest tomb (Yongzheng) with 2.5km sacred way.
- Muling: Daoguang's tomb with unpainted nanmu halls, elegant simplicity.
- Chongling: Guangxu's tomb with open underground palace and rich artifacts.
- Yongfu Temple: Imperial Tibetan Buddhist temple complex.
Architectural Art
- Feng Shui: Backed by Yongning Mountain, facing Yi River, perfect geomantic layout.
- Sculpture: Exquisite stone statues, ornamental pillars and steles.
- Paintings: Well-preserved dragon patterns in main halls.
Cultural Values
- Historical Witness: Reflects Qing Dynasty's rise and decline.
- Architectural Model: Epitome of Chinese imperial tomb architecture.
- Art Treasury: Masterpieces of stone/wood carvings and paintings.
Visitor Information
- Opening Hours: Peak season (Apr-Oct) 8:30-17:00; Off-season 8:30-16:30.
- Ticket Price: Combo ticket 120 yuan (covers main tombs and temple).
- Transportation:
From Beijing: ~1.5hrs via Jingkun Expressway (Yi County exit)
From Baoding: Yi County tourist shuttle
Travel Tips
- Recommended Route: Tailing→Changling→Muling→Chongling→Yongfu Temple.
- Best Seasons: Spring (April flowers) and autumn (October foliage).
- Notice: No smoking in tomb areas; underground palaces are cool (bring jacket).