The Sacred Way and The Ming Tombs

Today we went to The Sacred Way and the Ming Tombs Area. Only Dingling, one of the thirteen tombs, we have visited. It is possible to visit more tombs, but for us the weather did not allow this. You can read about our visit and how to get there in this post.

The Sacred Way

Start of the Sacred Way

The Sacred Way is a long road, leading up to the Ming Tombs. Nowadays, there are thirteen tombs. In the beginning, according to the information given, there was one tomb and one road leading to that tomb.

Along the road, there are many statues which are guardians for the tombs. According to legend, they change guard overnight. You have lions and camels, but also creatures which can not be easily identified.

To get there, take any bus from Deshengmen bus station (near Jishuitan) in the direction of Changping Dongguan. It is best to take a bus with less stops. Currently, bus 886 is the best option as it will take the express way for most of the journey. At Changping Dongguan, just cross the street and take line 314. This lines will bring you to The Sacred Way. The stop is called Da Gong Men (大宫门). From this stop you can cover the whole Sacred Way. At the end there is another stop where you can board line 314 again to go to Dingling and/or Changling.

Dingling

A view of the tomb

Do not expect to much of the tombs. It is really only a relatively small underground complex of several chambers where an emperor was buried. It is comparable with a pyramid; the emperor and empress are buried with all there belongings and necessities for the afterlife. There is nothing left in the tomb, only reproductions. Moreover, most things were already disintegrated when the tomb was found. Nevertheless, it is quite unique to be able to enter such a space.

As already stated, the tombs can be reached by bus 314 from Changping Dongguan.

Guards at The Sacred Way

Inside of a chamber of the tomb