Being a sacred burial ground near Beijing, it is one of the two tomb areas devoted to the emperors, empresses and imperial concubines of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911, the last feudal empire in China).The other is the Western Qing Tombs.Among the finest, best-preserved and largest of the extant tomb complexes in China, it is located along Changrui Mountain in the west of Malanyu Town, Zunhua County, Hebei Province. Along the south side of Changrui Mountain, the tombs of five emperors, four empresses, five imperial concubines, and one princess are arrayed based on the traditional concept of placing the most senior and most distinguished in the center.Xiaoling, the tomb of Emperor Shunzhi (1638-1661, the first Qing emperor to rule China), is aligned with the axis of the main apex of Changrui Mountain, which indicates that the person buried there is the most exalted in the group. Other emperors' lie on both sides of Xiaoling in a fan pattern from east to west according to the position each person occupied in the Eastern Qing Tombsfamily hierarchy. The tombs of empresses and concubines are placed alongside those of their husbands, clearly showing the master-subject relationship that they had in life. Sacred ways connect the tombs of the women with those of their husbands, and the sacred ways of the tombs of the other emperors connect with that of Xiaoling. Thus a branch-like system is formed, showing clearly the relationship of the rulers to their heirs.An example of the most exquisite architecture of it is Dingdongling, the tomb of Empress Dowager Cixi .Inside the tomb Although she handled affairs of state for more than 45 years, she never ascended the throne. (The only female ruler in Chinese history was Empress Wu Zetian in the Tang Dynasty (618-907). Elaborate and highly refined decorations and carvings inside Qingdongling make it unique among those of the Qing Dynasty.The main material used in the tomb, which took six years to build, was gold, the symbol of royal family.Around the Gate of Eminent Favor (Long'enmen) of Dingdongling, elaborate carvings of dragons and phoenixes, drifting water and flowing clouds adorn the white marble balustrades. In front of the hall, on a colorful stone, we find examples of extraordinary techniques and unconventional design in additional intricate images of lively dragons and phoenixes.Many of the minor ones are also worth visiting as you learn about Chinese culture while enjoying the beauty of the area.Bus Route: Take bus to Zunhua from Sihui Bus Station. Then shift bus from Zunhua Bus Station.Driving Route: Drive east along Jingtong Fast Road and Jingha (Beijing-Harbin) Expressway via Beiguan Roundabout, Yanjiao, Sanhe County, turn left at Ji County Big Bridge and enter Ji County, turn right at the roundabout in Ji county and take Ji County-Zunhua road, passing Mashenqiao and Shimenzhen, turn left at Shimenzhen Toll Station, drive long about 4.7km (2.9 miles) and turn left and arrive at the entrance of the Sacred Way.Source: travelchinaguide.com