In ancient China, emperors considered themselves 'the Son of Heaven' and consequently they wished to prepare the way home after their deaths. The Sacred Way was a road usually built in front of an ancient Chinese mausoleum, which symbolically led emperors to Heaven. The Sacred Way in the Ming Tomb is a typical example.
Last Update : 2006-10-11 11:22:02
The way starts with a grand and delicate archway carved out of marble. This is a popular entrance structure in most traditional Chinese architecture. Then the road is flanked with twelve pairs of lifelike stone statues of armor-clad generals, officers, lions, camels, horses, kylins and other legendary sacred animals. Following the stone statues at the end of the road is a grand Stele Pavilion. Inside the pavilion, there is a huge stone tortoise carrying a stone tablet called Shengong Shengde Stele, on which merits and virtues and achievements of emperors are narrated. These are laments expressing both the respect and deep grief of the bereaved. An elaborately carved marble ornamental pillar can be found on each cardinal point outside the pavilion. Behind the Stele Pavilion is a final construction called Dragon and Phoenix Gate.
Admission Fee:
CNY 20 (Nov. 1 to Mar. 31) CNY 30 (Apr. 1 to Oct. 31)
Last Update : 5/29/2007 8:27:38 PM 
