Introduction

The Sacred Way is located one kilometer north of the main gate of the Ming Tombs. Covering 7 kilometers, this passage road which means “the road leading to the heaven,” provides access to the Ming Tomb complex. Chinese emperors were also referred to as Son’s of Heaven used this path during their reign heading to the sacrificial altar in order to converse with heaven. When they died, their funeral procession also followed this same path through the Sacred way as a symbol of the passed emperor 's journey to heaven in the afterlife. The Sacred Way begins with the Memorial Arch built in 1540 heading to the Changling Tomb which is lined on either side with statues of officials, mythical animals sculpted whole stones and guardian animals. There are 12 human figures who are civil officials, meritorious officials and generals in addition to 24 animals including xiezhi (a mythological unicorn), camels, lions, elephants, horses and qilin (one of four other "divine animals, the other three are the tortoise, dragon and phoenix). The Camel and elephant represent the vastness of the territory controlled by the court, the Lion represents solemnity, the Horse was the emperor's mount, and the Xiezhi possesses a sixth sense and was put in place to keep evil spirits away. These animals are believed to change guard at midnight.

People were not permitted to enter through this route in ancient times except officials who were responsible to guard these tombs. The path of the sacred way is curved because the ancient people believed it would fool evil spirits. The central entrance was reserved for the body of the dead emperor while the left entrance was used by the emperor who were alive when they went to pay homage to their ancestors.

Things to see and do on a visit

Memorial stone arch

The Sacred Way starts with a huge stone memorial archway that is the earliest and biggest stone archway existing in China today. It was constructed in 1540 during the Ming Dynasty.

Stele pavilion 

The shengde stele pavilion houses a 59-ton tortoise carrying a stone tablet. There is also a white marble Huabiao (ornamental pillar) placed on every corner of the stele pavilion at 32.8 feet high engraved with forty one dragons with a mythical beast on each one of them symbolizing the movement of the emperor and how he handled state affairs. Legend has it that the south facing ones remind the emperor to go out of the palace and observe his people’s situation and needs while the north facing beasts summon the emperor from insignificant activities to return and handle state affairs.

Inside the pavilion is a gigantic stone beast called Bixi that carries a stele on its back. The stele is known as the Merits and Virtue Stele and has long epigraphs inscribed on it.