Hiking photos – Eastern Qing Tombs, 2012/04/08

Were you on this trip? How did you like it? We'd love to hear from you.

• Send us feedback • Review it on TripAdvisor • Share this page on Facebook

To the north-east and south-west of Beijing city there are two sites where the tombs of Qing Dynasty (1644-1912 AD) emperors can be found. For this hike, we headed north-east, to the Eastern Qing Tombs, for a hike that took us over the hills to the tombs.

Most of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644 AD) tombs are located in the same area in Changping District. The Qing Tombs are spread out between two sites, alternating between emperors after a son thought it would be bad luck to be buried near the father he usurped.

We started the hikes in the hills behind the tomb site, and walked up to a ridge. We followed the firebreak trail along the ridge, through pine forests, with views of the tombs below us.

After walking down to the tombs, we took a good look about, visiting big halls and underground areas, and walking along the Sacred Way, the path that leads into the tombs.

along gravel roads and paths, Beijing Hikers Eastern Qing Tombs, April08, 2012

We walked along gravel roads and paths in the hills behind the tombs.

Peacocks, Beijing Hikers Eastern Qing Tombs, April08, 2012

Peacocks in a playground.

at one of the carvings in the tombs, Beijing Hikers Eastern Qing Tombs, April08, 2012

We stopped to take a look at one of the carvings in the tombs. Usually, in these carvings, a dragon (the emperor) is depicted above a phoenix (the empress). This one was related to the Empress Dowager Cixi, and she reversed the normal order to put the phoenix on top.