Inscribed: 2000

Multiple locations:
1. Zhongxiang, Hebei Province
2. Baoding, Hebei Province
3. Zunhua, Hebei Province

Brief description: The Ming and Qing imperial tombs are natural sites modified by human influence, carefully chosen according to the principles of geomancy (Fengshui) to house numerous buildings of traditional architectural design and decoration. They illustrate the continuity over five centuries of a worldview and concept of power specific to feudal China.

The Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) Xian Tomb is the burial site for Prince Xingxian and his wife, parents of Emperor Jiaqing (reigned 1522-66). They were buried together at Mt. Songlin in present Zhongxiang County, Hubei Province. The tomb occupies an area of 136.47 hectares and is hemmed in by high walls. Started in 1519 and completed in 1540, the Xian Tomb resembles the Ming Tombs near Beijing, but it takes up more space. It is the only Ming Tomb found in southern China and is often referred to as the 15th Ming Tomb. The Xian Tomb was put under key state protection in 1985.

The Dong Tombs of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), the first imperial tombs established by the Manchu rulers, are located 125 km east of Beijing in Zunhua County, Hebei, and occupy an area of 2,500 square km. 

The tomb area consists of two sections: the Houlong and the Qianquan. The Houlong, the source of an auspicious tomb site according to geomancy, starts from the Great Wall, extends along Mt. Shaozu and Mt. Wuling near Chengde, and borders Zunhua on the east and Miyun on the west. The area is characterized by ranges of mountains and a beautiful landscape. The Qianquan is where the tombs are located, which occupies 48 square km, and is enclosed in  geomantic walls of some 20 km both on the east and on the west, with a red gate that was erected to the south of the location.
 
Construction of the Dong Tombs began in 1661. There are altogether 14 tombs containing the remains of emperors, empresses, consorts, and princesses. They include the Xiao Tomb of the first emperor of Qing, Emperor Shunzhi (reigned 1644-61), the Jing Tomb of Emperor Kangxi (reigned 1662-1722), the Yu Tomb of Emperor Qianlong (reigned 1736-95), the Ding Tomb of Emperor Xianfeng (reigned 1851-61), the Hui Tomb of Emperor Tongzhi (reigned 1862-74), and tombs of the empresses Xiaozhuang, Xiaohui, Ci'an, Ci'xi, and five consorts. All were erected over a span of 272 years.

The Xi Tombs of the Qing Dynasty are located among the mountains some 100 km west of Beijing. This site is smaller than that of the Dong Tombs and with fewer emperors and empresses buried. Construction of the Xi Tombs began in 1730. The burial site has the Tai Tomb of Emperor Yongzheng (reigned 1723-35), the Chang Tomb of Emperor Jiaqing (reigned 1796-1820), the Mu Tomb of Emperor Daoguang (reigned 1821-50), the Chong Tomb of Emperor Guangxu (reigned 1875-1908), and the tombs of various empresses, consorts, princes and princesses. The one for the last emperor, Xuantong, was incomplete when the Qing Dynasty ended.

Imperial Summer Villa Travel Service

Only 230km from Beijing, Chengde is conveniently accessible. Most common travellers here reach the capital by rail, since although the buses are swifter, trains are more comfortable.

By plane:

There is an airport in the southeast of the city, although flights can only be chartered. To Beijing flights will take under 1hr.

By train:

There are three railway lines that meet at Chengde, connecting it daily with Beijing (4-6hrs depending on train), Jingzhou (10hrs), Shenyang (13hrs), Shijiazhuang (4hrs), Tianjin (7hrs) and more. Trains to and from Beijing to Chengde (4.5hrs, RMB40 for fast train - Tekuai) run about 4 to 5 times a day. You may now buy a return ticket in either city, that may be useful in peak season.
The train station is located in the south east of the town, on Chezhan lu.

By bus:

There are over ten cities in northeastern China that can be reached from Chengde, including Tianjin and Shijiazhuang, although the Chengde-Beijing bus is by far the most frequently used. Buses to Beijing (RMB30, 3.5hrs) leave every half hour from the long distance bus station. Air-conditioned buses also leave from here, although there are only a few every day.
The long distance bus station is located on Wulie lu, near the intersection with Xinhua lu.

Transportation inside the city:

The starting price for taxis in Chengde is RMB5 for 2km, and they can also, after strong negotiation, be hired for the day for under RMB200 (good for those limited by time).
Minibuses and motor-rickshaws can also be taken from outside all major hotels, and on major thoroughfares.
For both the town and the outer temples it may well be worth hiring a bike for the day or two that you need to look around. Bikes (Zixing che) can be hired from some hotels (try the Yunshan Hotel) and from shops on Xinhua beilu. (www.ctrip.com)