Qianling is the only tomb in China known to hold two emperors: Emperor Gaozong of Tang and his wife, Empress Wu Zetian, who ruled in her own right as China's only female emperor. The tomb itself is cut into Mount Liang and has never been excavated, so there is no interior to visit; instead the experience is the approach road lined with stone statues of officials, guardian animals, and 61 headless statues believed to represent foreign envoys who attended the funeral. Wu Zetian's own memorial stone, the "wordless stele," stands blank beside her husband's inscribed one, a choice historians still debate.
Qianling Mausoleum occupies Mount Liang in Qian County, Xianyang, the joint burial site of Emperor Gaozong and Empress Wu Zetian, China's only reigning female emperor, whose tomb remains sealed and unexcavated beneath the natural hill. Visitors walk up a long ceremonial spirit way lined with stone statues of officials, guardian animals, and winged horses leading toward the mountain, considered one of the best-preserved Tang-dynasty stone sculpture avenues in China. Partway along the approach stands a large, deliberately blank stone stele traditionally said to have been left uninscribed by Wu Zetian's order, its meaning still debated by historians. Several satellite tombs of Tang princes and princesses buried nearby have been excavated and opened to the public, their underground burial chambers reached by descending sloped tunnel passages decorated with faded but still visible tomb murals. A full visit covering the spirit way, main mound viewpoint, and at least one satellite tomb takes 2-3 hours, with the walk along the spirit way alone covering a considerable distance. Because Qianling draws far fewer visitors than sites closer to central Xi'an, spring and autumn weekday mornings offer an unhurried walk along the statue-lined approach with few other visitors in sight.
| Admission | Adult ¥45 (~$6) peak; ¥25 (~$3) off-season · Child Discounted under 1.4m |
|---|---|
| Hours | 8:00 AM–6:00 PM (Mar–Nov); 8:30 AM–5:30 PM (Dec–Feb) |
| Typical visit | 2–3 hours |
| Best time | Weekday mornings, spring or autumn |
| Getting there | Bus or chartered car from Xi'an (~1.5 hours) |
| Address | Qianling Mausoleum Scenic Area, Mount Liang, Qian County, Xianyang, Shaanxi |
Location
Qianling Mausoleum Scenic Area, Mount Liang, Qian County, Xianyang, Shaanxi
34.5672, 108.2075 View on map
Highlights
- Spirit way lined with Tang-dynasty stone statues and winged horses
- The deliberately blank memorial stele
- Satellite tombs of Tang princes and princesses with underground murals
- Mount Liang burial mound viewpoint
Tips for visiting
- Wear comfortable shoes, as the spirit way and mound area cover significant walking distance
- Visit a satellite tomb for the only accessible underground burial chamber, since the main tomb remains sealed
- Combine with Qianling's rural surroundings for a quieter day trip away from Xi'an's crowds
- Bring water, as facilities along the spirit way are limited
When to visit
Visit on a spring or autumn weekday morning for mild weather and light crowds along the spirit way.
Accessibility
The spirit way is a long, mostly flat paved path, but the satellite tomb chambers are reached via steep sloped tunnels that are not wheelchair accessible.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a visit take?
A full visit covering the spirit way, mound viewpoint, and a satellite tomb takes about 2-3 hours.
Is it worth it for kids?
Older children interested in history tend to enjoy the statue-lined walk and underground tomb murals, though the distances involved suit older kids better.
Is photography allowed?
Photography is allowed along the spirit way and mound area, though flash photography is typically restricted inside the satellite tomb murals.