Sacred Way

Introduction to Sacred Way （长陵神道）

In the front part of imperial necropolises there is usually a Sacred Way which means the way to heaven. The emperor, who is the son of heaven, who came from heaven to his country through the Sacred Way is rightly well known in the sky. A part of the Ming Tombs, Sacred Way was originally built to lead to Changling Museum. During the past emperors reign they often passed through the Sacred Way to the sacrificial altar in order to converse with heaven. After their death, the funeral procession also took the path through the Sacred Way as a symbol of the past emperor 's journey to heaven to the afterlife.

Sacred Way leads directly to Changling Tombs Along the Sacred Way, visitors can find a stele pavilion. At the four corners of the pavilion, there are four tall marble columns each towering about ten meters into the air. Each column is engraved with dragons and has a mythical beast sitting on the top. As the story goes, the beasts facing south remind the emperor to go out of the palace and among the people to observe their situation and needs. The beasts facing north summon the emperor from an insignificant outing to return to handle state affairs.

Location

Ming Shisan Ling Area, Changling Town, Changping District, Beijing

Travel Information

Admission Fee: 35 Yuan (1st Apr - 31st Oct), 25 Yuan (1st Nov - 31st Mar) 
Opening Hours: 8:10AM - 5:30PM (1st Apr - 31st Oct), 8:30AM - 5:00PM (1st Nov -  31st  Mar) 
Best Time to Visit: Sacred Way is suitable to visit all year round.

Main Sights

18 Pairs Marble Statues, Changling Tomb and Dingling Tomb

Transportation 

1. Take Subway Line 13 getting off at Huilongguan Station, then take bus 878 getting off at Changling Station.

Travel Tips 

1.Do try to avoid visiting the Sacred Way during the summer holidays and Golden Week in October as it will be extremely crowded.

Tour including Visiting Sacred Way

Beijing Imperial 5 Days Tour