The Eastern Qing Tombs

The Eastern Qing Tombs are spread across a wide valley closed by hills, with a paved spirit way running north from a triple marble archway, lined with stone officials, elephants, camels and horses. Several emperors, empresses and consorts are buried here in separate walled compounds of gates, halls and mounded tumuli. Two of the underground chambers are open to visitors. Qianlong's is the remarkable one: a sequence of marble rooms and doors carved over every surface with Buddhist figures and scriptural inscriptions, damp and dripping, reached down a long sloping ramp. The consort's tomb beside it is smaller and known for the quality of its stonework and gilding.

What you actually see

• The spirit way - the avenue of stone animals and officials leading in from the marble archway.
• Qianlong's underground chamber - marble rooms and doors carved with Buddhist figures and inscriptions.
• The Dingdongling tomb - a smaller burial known for its carved and gilded stonework.
• The valley setting - walled compounds and yellow-tiled roofs scattered across farmland below the hills.

When to go

Spring and autumn. The valley is open and hot in summer, and the underground chambers are cold and wet year round, so carry a layer. It is a long day from Beijing by car and there is little useful public transport, so start early. Visitor numbers are low outside national holidays, which is a large part of the appeal.

Honest expectations

The tombs are far apart and the site needs a car or the internal shuttle; walking between compounds eats the day. Several are shut, and the buildings above ground grow repetitive once you have seen two. The underground chambers were emptied long ago and hold no grave goods. Food and facilities nearby are basic.

Nearby

The Western Qing Tombs lie on the other side of Beijing, and a quiet stretch of the Great Wall runs north.