Discover Baoding: Unlocking the Secrets of the Western Qing Tombs in Yi County...

There is a serene tomb complex standing quietly.

Its site gathers the energy of heaven and earth.

Its mausoleums are grand and magnificent.

Tens of thousands of ancient pines and cypresses

Cluster into an endless emerald sea.

Today, let's follow renowned tour guide Niu Huiqin

To explore the secrets of China's last imperial tomb complex.

The Western Qing Tombs scenic area is situated at the foot of Yongning Mountain in Yi County, Baoding, Hebei Province. Construction began in the eighth year of the Yongzheng reign and was completed in the fourth year of the Republic of China, spanning 185 years. It is the last imperial tomb complex of the Qing Dynasty, and the largest, best-preserved, and most complete in terms of architectural types among existing ancient royal tomb complexes.

The entire scenic area contains 14 tombs, including Tailing (Tomb of the Yongzheng Emperor), Changling (Tomb of the Jiaqing Emperor), Muling (Tomb of the Daoguang Emperor), and Chongling (Tomb of the Guangxu Emperor). There are also 3 empress tombs and 3 tombs for imperial consorts, plus tombs for princes, princesses, and imperial sons. The architectural form of the tombs fully reflects the feudal regulations: imperial tombs and empress tombs are roofed with yellow glazed tiles, while tombs for princes, consorts, and princesses use green glazed tiles or gray tiles.

The buildings in the scenic area generally follow the Ming Dynasty architectural style for imperial tombs. Constructed according to Qing official methods, they strictly adhere to rigid hierarchical systems while also showing great creativity without being confined by conventions. There are also colored paintings and carvings on the buildings: palaces often feature 'spiral' decorative painting, temples and archways feature 'harmonious seal' painting, and temporary palaces and residences feature Suzhou-style painting. Dragon and phoenix motifs dominate the carvings. The entire complex reflects the superb architectural artistry and national style of the Qing Dynasty.

The Western Qing Tombs mainly house four Qing emperors: Yongzheng, Jiaqing, Daoguang, and Guangxu.

The Tailing of the Yongzheng Emperor

The main structure of the Western Qing Tombs, grand in scale and complete in layout.

Entering Tailing, you will see a series of buildings and stone carvings in order: stone archway, Great Red Gate, Costume Hall, Stele Pavilion of Holy Virtue and Divine Merit, Seven-Arch Stone Bridge, stone statues, Gate of Eminent Favor, Hall of Eminent Favor, Square City and Soul Tower, and the Precious Dome. The Hall of Eminent Favor is exquisitely built and spectacular, five bays wide and three bays deep, with double-eaved hip-and-gable roof covered in yellow glazed tiles. Its exposed pillars are wrapped in gold leaf with raised patterns. The ceiling features 'spiral' painting, beams are decorated with gold lines and gold dots, and the central panels depict 'Unification of the Land' and 'Illumination of the Universe'. The colors are harmonious, and the hall is resplendent.

The Changling of the Jiaqing Emperor

The only tomb in the Western Qing Tombs with a sacred way connecting to the main tomb.

The great pillars of the Hall of Eminent Favor are wrapped in gold with cloud and dragon ornaments, and the floor is paved with precious variegated stone, earning it the reputation of a 'hall full of gems'. The yellow square flagstones bear purple patterns, quite unique. The buildings inside the Gate of Eminent Favor rise higher from front to back. The tomb's enclosing wall is rectangular in front and semicircular behind, symbolizing the ancient concept of 'round heaven and square earth'. The circular Precious Dome stands in front of the northern curved wall, and the sacrificial platform is placed within the middle gate of the three entrance gates, creating a remarkable echo effect from the Echo Wall and Echo Stone, truly a unique masterpiece among Chinese tomb architecture.

The Muling of the Daoguang Emperor

Extremely unique in construction, unlike any other imperial tomb.

Muling is characterized by its small scale; it lacks such structures as the Square City, Soul Tower, grand stele pavilion, and stone statues. However, its engineering quality surpasses that of Tailing and Changling in durability. The entire wall is built with bricks meticulously ground and fitted, dry-laid and grouted, leaving the wall surface smooth and solid. The Hall of Eminent Favor displays exquisite craftsmanship; the entire hall is made of golden-nanmu wood, left unpainted to preserve its natural color. Upon opening the hall door, the fragrance of nanmu fills the air.

The Chongling of the Guangxu Emperor

The last imperial tomb of China's feudal society.

Although its scale is not as grand as that of Yongzheng's and Jiaqing's tombs, it inherits the Qing dynasty tomb regulations, references the styles of Xianfeng's Dingling and Tongzhi's Huiling, and also incorporates certain essence of ancient architectural techniques, giving it its own distinct features. The wood used in the Hall of Eminent Favor is exceptionally rare 'copper-algae' and 'iron-algae' wood. Even an ordinary wooden armchair made from this wood would weigh over a hundred jin, hence the hall is praised as having 'copper beams and iron pillars'. The four exposed pillars inside the hall have wave patterns at the base, with a golden dragon coiling upward around the shaft, presenting a more splendid and magnificent appearance than the lotus flower motifs in other imperial tombs.

The Western Qing Tombs possess immense historical and artistic value. Their picturesque mountains and naturally formed landscapes make the environment highly appealing. Surrounded by hills, the tomb area is covered with 15,000 ancient pines and 200,000 young pines, forming China's largest man-made ancient pine forest. It is hailed as a natural oxygen bar where you can breathe deeply, offering great value for leisure, vacation, and wellness.

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Source: Compiled by Hebei News Network and Baoding Cultural Tourism