Memorial Archway

Beijing


With a magisterial spread of five marble arches 16m high and 35m wide, this is supposedly the largest stone páifāng (arched gate) in China, erected by the Jiajing Emperor in 1540. Most visitors miss it altogether because it stands a little way east of the current approach road, about 1km before you reach the Great Palace Gate.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Beijing attractions

1. Great Palace Gate

0.78 MILES

Also known as the 'Great Red Gate' (大红门, Dàhóngmén) for obvious reasons, this mighty portal sets a suitably awe-inspiring tone as the front door to the…

2. Divine Merit Stele Pavilion

1.15 MILES

Along the Spirit Way before you reach the pairs of stone guardians, this glorious pavilion contains a stele thought to be the largest in China, mounted on…

3. Spirit Way

1.46 MILES

A highlight of a visit to the Ming Tombs is to walk the Shen Dao, or Spirit Way, a funerary avenue that plots a sombre course to Cháng Líng, the earliest…

4. Ming Tombs

1.76 MILES

Established according to feng shui in the cradle of Tianshou Mountain (天寿山, Tiānshòu Shān), this auspicious swath of nature was walled off by the Ming to…

5. Dragon Phoenix Gate

1.86 MILES

Ornamental gate along the Spirit Way path at the Ming Tombs, adorned with a dragon symbolising the emperor and a phoenix for the empress.

6. Sī Líng

2.32 MILES

Si Ling is the tomb of the last of the Ming emperors, Chongzhen, who hanged himself at Coal Hill – today's Jingshan Park – as rebels stormed the gates of…

7. Zhāo Líng

3.67 MILES

The Longqing Emperor, 12th of the Ming Dynasty, only managed a six-year shift on the Dragon Throne before he was entombed here, along with three empresses…

8. Museum of the Ming Tombs

3.83 MILES

Housed in several buildings at Dìng Líng, some of which were closed for renovation at time of research, this museum displays a selection of items…