Qianling Mausoleum (Tomb of Wu Zetian & Emperor Gaozong)

Qianling Mausoleum, built into Liang Mountain about 85 km northwest of Xi'an, is the joint burial site of Tang Emperor Gaozong and Empress Wu Zetian, China's only reigning female emperor, who ruled in her own right from 690 to 705. Unlike most Tang tombs, the main burial chamber has never been excavated, so the mausoleum is experienced primarily through its Sacred Way, an approach road lined with monumental stone statues of guardian officials, winged horses, ostriches, and a famous group of 61 headless stone statues believed to represent foreign dignitaries who attended Gaozong's funeral. Seventeen smaller satellite tombs surround the main mound, several of which have been excavated and are open to visitors, including the tomb of Princess Yongtai with well-preserved mural paintings. Reaching Qianling requires more effort than Xi'an's closer sites: a coach departs roughly every 20 minutes from the Xi'an South Passenger Depot to Qian County, followed by a local bus or taxi to the mausoleum itself, or a direct private car covering the distance in under an hour. Because the site is spread across a large hillside area with the satellite tombs some distance from the main Sacred Way, a sightseeing bus (an additional ¥30) is worth adding to the entrance ticket for visitors wanting to see more than just the central approach.