WEST QING TOMBS

History

Located 140 km southwest of Beijing, near Tai Ping Yu, in Yi Xian district, against the Xi Shan Mountains and protected by a wall wall of about thirty kilometers, the west necropolis (Xi Ling) houses about fifteen tombs, the most important of which are those of the Emperors Yongzheng (1723-1736), Jiaqing (1796-1821), Daoguang (1821-1851) and Guangxu (1875-1908). There are also eminators and concubines, which is all 76 remains.

Visit

These tombs spread into a vast circus inside a wall of about 21 km. There are rooms of all styles and sizes and a hundred carved stone constructions. Guangxu is the last emperor to have been buried in the Xiling since Puyi, who was the last emperor of China, died in 1967 was not buried with his ancestors. The first thing you notice in the visit of the necropolis of the west is the impressive similarity still with the Ming tombs. Same doors, even seven arches bridges, course, door of eminent favors announcing the Palace of Eminent Favors, even tower of the Stèle which leads to a tumulus… Yet there are many differences. The style and importance of each mausoleum are established according to a code of the feudal hierarchy, the tombs of the empress are smaller than those of the emperors, but greater than those of princes and princesses. Same rule for architectural style, the tombs of emperors and their wives are made of walls painted in red and covered with yellow tiles glazed. Favorites and princesses are covered with green tiles. The whole site has been classified as UNESCO's World Heritage Site since 2000.

Tomb of Yongzheng (Tai Ling). This is the most important and first of the necropolis, since the place of the necropolis was chosen by the geometries on the order of Yongzheng, who wanted to find a site favorable to its grave. The Emperor is buried there with his wife Empress Xiao Jing and his favorite Dun Su. We meet in the shadow of pine and cypress, at the end of the sacred path (Shen Dao) bordered by animals carved in stone.

Daoguang tomb (Mo Ling). It is located at the western end of the site. This is where the emperor Daoguang and his three wives, Xiao Mu, Xiao Zhen and Xiao Quan sleep in eternal sleep. The Empress Xiao Mu was buried the first and, following a flood, the emperor had his tomb completely restored in the wood of santal. You will notice the delicious fragrance with a resin touch that escapes. Note also the many dragons that decorate the casing ceilings. On the other hand, there is no sacred path bordered by stone animals or a tower of the Stèle in this new architecture.

Tomb of Guangxu (Chong Ling). About 5 km from the tomb of Yongzheng, this is the last mausoleum of the Qing. The Emperor sits there with his wife, Empress Xiao Ding. In the heart of an almost lush vegetation where thuyas, cathayas and fruit trees blend, it appears much more modest than its neighbors. The buildings are built in different woods, and it is mainly the frescoes and panels decorated with vivid colors and golden wallets that make it the best.

Tomb of the favorite Zhen Fei. Located next to Guang Xu's, it contains the remains of the emperor's three favorites, Chong Fei, Jin Fei and Zhen Fei. The latter had supported the emperor during the famous «one hundred day revolt»; and the dummy empress who hated her, before hiding to Xi 'an during the invasion of Beijing in 1900, ordered that the favorite be thrown into a well of the Imperial Palace. His remains were buried in the tombs of the west later.