Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
troyed. But this is the only tomb where you can climb down into the burial
chambers.
Zhao Ling
( admission ¥35)
is the smallest of the three, and many of its
buildings are recent rebuilds. The tomb, which is the resting place of Emperor
Longqing (1537-1572), is located at the end of the small and eerily quiet vil-
lage of Zhaoling Cun .
Spirit Way
( Shen Dao; admission ¥35)
is the original road leading to the
tombs. Commencing from the south with a triumphal triple archway, known as
the
Great Palace Gate
( Dagong Men), the road (now a pedestrianised path-
way) passes through
Stele Pavilion
( Bei Ting), which contains a giant
bixi
bearing the largest stelae in China. A guard of 12 sets of stone animals and of-
ficials awaits.
Getting There Away
Bus 872
(¥9, one hour, 7.10am-7.10pm)
leaves regularly from the north side of
the
Deshengmen Gateway
(
Click here
)
and passes all the sights, apart from
Zhao Ling, before terminating at Chang Ling, the main tomb. Last bus back is
at 6pm.
It's easy to bus hop around. Start at Chang Ling, the main tomb, then take
bus 872 (¥2) or 314 (¥1) to Ding Ling, then bus 67 (¥1) to Zhao Ling. Take bus
67 again to Hu Zhuang bus stop, from where you either catch bus 872 back to
Beijing, or walk along Spirit Way to see the stone statues. At the other end of
Spirit Way is Da Gong Men bus stop, from where you can also catch the 872
back to Beijing.
Detour:
Chuandixia
Nestled in a valley 90km west of Beijing and overlooked by towering peaks, the
Ming-dynasty village of
Chuandixia
( entrance ¥35)
is a gorgeous cluster of historic
courtyard homes with old-world charm. The backdrop is lovely: terraced orchards
