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More Things to Do
Top 10 City Tours
Code: XA30
1 Day to Qianling Mausoleum on Xi’an West Touring Line
► Route: Xi’an → Qianxian → Tomb of Prince Yide → Tomb of Princess Yongtai → Tomb of Prince Zhanghuai → Main Tomb of Qianling Mausoleum → Xi’an
Qianling Mausoleum
The Qianling Mausoleum, located 80 km (50 mi) northwest of Xi'an, is a must-see on the western touring route of Xi'an. Built in 684 AD, it is the world's only husband-and-wife emperors mausoleum, where the Tang Emperor Gaozong and Empress Wu Zetian are buried. Instead of a simple visit by most common tourists, we recommend you an in-depth tour of the Qianling Mausoleum, following which you can see not only the spectacular main tomb, but also the satellite tombs of the descendants of Empress Wu Zetian, while learning about the imperial ceremonies and folk customs in the heyday of the Tang Dynasty (618 – 907 AD), and also the secret stories of the only female emperor in China’s history.
► Opening Hours: 8:00 to 18:00 from March to November; 8:30 to 17:30 from December to the next February
► Ticket Price: CNY 102 from March to November; CNY 82 from December to the next February
► Note: The ticket includes the main mausoleum, Qianling Museum, and all attendant tombs that are open.
► Opening Hours: 8:00 to 18:00 from March to November; 8:30 to 17:30 from December to the next February
► Ticket Price: CNY 102 from March to November; CNY 82 from December to the next February
► Note: The ticket includes the main mausoleum, Qianling Museum, and all attendant tombs that are open.
8:00-9:30 Transport from Xi’an to Qianling Mausoleum
You are recommended to take a taxi or metro line 2 to get to the Xi’an North Railway Station, and take the high speed train there to Qianxian first.
► Departure: 8:30 at Xi’an North Railway Station
► Arrival: 8:59 at Qianxian Railway Station
► Duration: 29 minutes
► Ticket Fare: CNY 24 for a second-class seat; CNY 38 for a first-class seat.
Upon arrival, take a taxi to the south gate of Qianling Mausoleum in 20 minutes at a cost of CNY 20. Or you can take the Qianxian bus line 1 or 2 to Qianling station, which takes 40 minutes and costs CNY 1.
● If you start from the west suburb of Xi’an, you can consider taking coaches from West Xi'an Bus Station to Qianxian, which runs every 5 minutes from 7:00 to 19:00. It takes 1.5 hours and costs CNY 7 to reach to the Qianxian Bus Station, where you can take a taxi to reach the Qianling Mausoleum in 15 minutes at a cost of CNY 15 to 20.
High Speed Train D3509 from Xi’an to Qianxian
► Departure: 8:30 at Xi’an North Railway Station
► Arrival: 8:59 at Qianxian Railway Station
► Duration: 29 minutes
► Ticket Fare: CNY 24 for a second-class seat; CNY 38 for a first-class seat.
Upon arrival, take a taxi to the south gate of Qianling Mausoleum in 20 minutes at a cost of CNY 20. Or you can take the Qianxian bus line 1 or 2 to Qianling station, which takes 40 minutes and costs CNY 1.
● If you start from the west suburb of Xi’an, you can consider taking coaches from West Xi'an Bus Station to Qianxian, which runs every 5 minutes from 7:00 to 19:00. It takes 1.5 hours and costs CNY 7 to reach to the Qianxian Bus Station, where you can take a taxi to reach the Qianling Mausoleum in 15 minutes at a cost of CNY 15 to 20.
9:30-12:00 Tomb of Prince Yide & Tomb of Princess Yongtai
The Qianling Mausoleum has 17 satellite tombs, among which the tombs of Prince Yide and Princess Yongtai are the largest in scale and boast the most unearthed cultural relics. For a thorough tour of the large scenic area, it is recommended that you spend CNY 30 to buy a ticket for the sightseeing car, which can save time and energy, as well as reasonably arrange your travel route in a ring.
Tomb of Prince Yide
From the ticket office of the south gate, it takes 5 minutes to arrive at the first visiting spot of today – Tomb of Prince Yide.
► Recommended Time for a Visit: 1 hour
► Tomb Owner:
Li Chongrun (682 – 701 AD), aka Li Chongzhao, was the eldest grandson of Empress Wu Zetian and the eldest son of Li Xian, Emperor Zhongzong of the Tang Dynasty. In 684, Emperor Zhongzong lost his throne, and Li Chongrun was deposed as a commoner. In 701, he was killed with a rod by Empress Wu Zetian for discussing her secret lovers in the palace. It was also said that he was forced to commit suicide. He was only 19 years old when he died. His father, Emperor Zhongzong, restored to the throne in 705 and honored him the Crown Prince Yide, and in the following year, his coffin was moved from Luoyang to Qianling Mausoleum as an attendant tomb.
► Things to See:
In addition to the stone pillars and stone lions, you will marvel at the exquisite murals in the long tomb passage. These colorful murals are rich in themes, among which the most eye-catching is the ‘Watchtowers’, the largest piece of the Tang Dynasty murals. The magnificent murals take the mountains as the background and depict the city wall, the Que watchtowers, and the guard of honor. The original painting has been moved to the Mural Hall of Shaanxi History Museum for better protection. The tomb now keeps a replica, but it is still very beautiful, providing visitors with an insight into the luxurious life of the Tang court and the imperial etiquette. There are also exhibition halls showing the precious relics unearthed from the tomb and the life stories of Prince Yide.
Tri-colored Pottery in Qianling Museum
Tomb of Princess Yongtai
It takes 5 minutes by sightseeing car from the Tomb of Prince Yide to the Tomb of Princess Yongtai.
► Recommended Time for a Visit: 1 to 2 hours
► Tomb Owner:
Li Xianhui (684 – 701 AD), the granddaughter of Empress Wu Zetian and the 7th daughter of Li Xian, Emperor Zhongzong of the Tang Dynasty. In 700, she married Wu Yanji, grandnephew of Empress Wu Zetian. In 701, when she was only 17 years old, she might be brutally killed by Empress Wu Zetian, because her husband and her brother Prince Yide had offended Wu Zetian by secretly discussing the empress's lovers, and were put to death. However, the tomb inscription stated that Li Xianhui died in childbirth. She could have died in childbirth due to shock after learning that her husband was executed. Her father, Emperor Zhongzong, later made her Princess Yongtai in 705 and reburied her and her husband together with an imperial standard, next to the Qianling Mausoleum.
► Things to See:
The tomb ramp is wider and of higher standard than that of her brother Prince Yide’s tomb, and you can see that Emperor Zhongzong was very fond of his daughter Li Xianhui, who had died prematurely because of political struggles. The murals are well preserved, and of course they are replicas. The originals are also kept in the Shaanxi History Museum. Among them, the six pieces of ‘Palace Ladies’ are fine works with lively figures and vivid expressions, showing the luxurious life of the imperial family.
The princess's tomb is also the site of the Qianling Museum, where you can see the fine relics from the Qianling Mausoleum, the Exhibition of the Wu Zetian Era, and the cultural relics of the Silk Road and the Hu figurines of the Tang Dynasty. As for the Qianling Underground Palace, you are suggested to skip it, because the imitation scenes and puppets inside are too crude to be worth visiting.
12:00-13:00 Lunch Break
There is a Foreign Restaurant where you can have lunch at the rest area of the Tomb of Princess Yongtai. If you are not hungry now, you can dine after getting to the main mausoleum of Qianling, where there are more choices like the Qianling Shengtang Food Center, Qianzhou Snacks, and Huangling Food Mall.
13:00-13:30 Short Visit of Tomb of Crown Prince Zhanghuai
It takes 5 minutes from the Tomb of Princess Yongtai to the Tomb of Crown Prince Zhanghuai. It is similar to the first two tombs, but much smaller, and the murals inside are not as exquisite as those in the first two tombs. The tomb passage is very short and can be visited in 5 to 10 minutes. The passage is steep, making it difficult for the elderly to walk. If you're not interested in it or pressed for time, you can skip it and take the sightseeing car directly to the main mausoleum.
► Tomb Owner:
Li Xian (655 – 684 AD), the 6th son of the Tang Emperor Gaozong and the 2nd son of Empress Wu Zetian. He was well educated and quick-witted, being praised by his father while suspected by his mother. In 680, he was condemned to treason and exiled. In 684, Empress Wu Zetian forced him to commit suicide at the age of 29.
► Tomb Owner:
Li Xian (655 – 684 AD), the 6th son of the Tang Emperor Gaozong and the 2nd son of Empress Wu Zetian. He was well educated and quick-witted, being praised by his father while suspected by his mother. In 680, he was condemned to treason and exiled. In 684, Empress Wu Zetian forced him to commit suicide at the age of 29.
13:30-16:30 Main Mausoleum of Qianling
It takes 10 minutes by sightseeing car from the Tomb of Crown Prince Zhanghuai to the main mausoleum.
► Recommended Time for a Visit: 2 to 3 hours
► Tomb Owner:
The Qianling Mausoleum is one of the most imposing imperial tombs in China. It buried two remarkable emperors – Li Zhi (Gaozong), the third emperor of the Tang Dynasty, and his wife Wu Zetian, the only female emperor in Chinese history.
► Recommended Time for a Visit: 2 to 3 hours
► Tomb Owner:
The Qianling Mausoleum is one of the most imposing imperial tombs in China. It buried two remarkable emperors – Li Zhi (Gaozong), the third emperor of the Tang Dynasty, and his wife Wu Zetian, the only female emperor in Chinese history.
► Things to See:
1. Sacred Way:
Getting off the sightseeing car, you'll see a pair of stone pillars and winged horses, and from here, you can head north up the long Sacred Way that leads to the main mausoleum. With a length of about 500 meters (550 yards), the road is flanked by stone statues of various officials and generals. After a 10-minute ascent, you will arrive at the south Zhuque Gate of the main mausoleum.
2. Stone Steles and Statues:
At the Zhuque Gate, you can see two stone steles. On the west side is the Stone Stele Dedicated to Emperor Gaozong, aka Holy Deeds Tablet, which was set up with the order of Empress Wu Zetian to commemorate her husband, Emperor Gaozong. She wrote more than 5,000 words to praise his merits and virtues. On the east is the famous Wordless Stone Stele, built with a spectacular monolith for Empress Wu Zetian. There are all kinds of debates about why it is wordless. Some people say that Wu Zetian thought her achievements were too great to be recorded in writing; while others believe that Wu Zetian, as the only female emperor recorded in China’s official history, thought she could not judge herself, so she left the judgment to posterity. When you look closely at the stele, in addition to the exquisite decorative carving, you will find that it is actually not blank, but has inscriptions in various languages. It had become a monument recording messages left by dignitaries and literati visiting the Qianling Mausoleum in the following dynasties.
Behind the two steles are the Stone Statues of 61 Foreign Officials, which are as tall as human beings and are dressed in different styles. Divided into two groups, they stand in neat deference on either side of the mausoleum, as if to welcome the two emperors. Their heads are gone, and only the bodies are left. The reason is unknown, with a lot of speculation. You can put your head above the statue's neck and take some interesting photos.
3. Mausoleum Mountain:
In the middle there is a path to climb the Liangshan Mountain. Some local farmers offer rides up the mountain for a fee, but it is not recommended in case of price traps. The mountain is 1,047 meters (3,435 feet) above sea level, but the climbing height to the top is only about 200 meters (656 feet). People of average strength can finish the round trip in about 1.5 hours. Pay attention to safety as it is a winding dirt and gravel road, with some steep and difficult sections. After reaching the summit, you can overlook the surrounding farmland, the Sacred Way, and the watchtowers on the east and west Breast Peaks. At this moment, beneath your feet, in the mountain, is the core of the mausoleum. However, due to the limited archaeological technology, the main mausoleum has not been excavated. It is said that there are abundant wealth and treasures inside. With a short stop on the mountain top, you can return down to the parking lot at the exit of the scenic area.
1. Sacred Way:
Getting off the sightseeing car, you'll see a pair of stone pillars and winged horses, and from here, you can head north up the long Sacred Way that leads to the main mausoleum. With a length of about 500 meters (550 yards), the road is flanked by stone statues of various officials and generals. After a 10-minute ascent, you will arrive at the south Zhuque Gate of the main mausoleum.
2. Stone Steles and Statues:
At the Zhuque Gate, you can see two stone steles. On the west side is the Stone Stele Dedicated to Emperor Gaozong, aka Holy Deeds Tablet, which was set up with the order of Empress Wu Zetian to commemorate her husband, Emperor Gaozong. She wrote more than 5,000 words to praise his merits and virtues. On the east is the famous Wordless Stone Stele, built with a spectacular monolith for Empress Wu Zetian. There are all kinds of debates about why it is wordless. Some people say that Wu Zetian thought her achievements were too great to be recorded in writing; while others believe that Wu Zetian, as the only female emperor recorded in China’s official history, thought she could not judge herself, so she left the judgment to posterity. When you look closely at the stele, in addition to the exquisite decorative carving, you will find that it is actually not blank, but has inscriptions in various languages. It had become a monument recording messages left by dignitaries and literati visiting the Qianling Mausoleum in the following dynasties.
Behind the two steles are the Stone Statues of 61 Foreign Officials, which are as tall as human beings and are dressed in different styles. Divided into two groups, they stand in neat deference on either side of the mausoleum, as if to welcome the two emperors. Their heads are gone, and only the bodies are left. The reason is unknown, with a lot of speculation. You can put your head above the statue's neck and take some interesting photos.
3. Mausoleum Mountain:
In the middle there is a path to climb the Liangshan Mountain. Some local farmers offer rides up the mountain for a fee, but it is not recommended in case of price traps. The mountain is 1,047 meters (3,435 feet) above sea level, but the climbing height to the top is only about 200 meters (656 feet). People of average strength can finish the round trip in about 1.5 hours. Pay attention to safety as it is a winding dirt and gravel road, with some steep and difficult sections. After reaching the summit, you can overlook the surrounding farmland, the Sacred Way, and the watchtowers on the east and west Breast Peaks. At this moment, beneath your feet, in the mountain, is the core of the mausoleum. However, due to the limited archaeological technology, the main mausoleum has not been excavated. It is said that there are abundant wealth and treasures inside. With a short stop on the mountain top, you can return down to the parking lot at the exit of the scenic area.
16:30-18:00 Get Back to Qianxian County
Take bus line 1 to Qianshi Shizi or bus line 2 to People’s Theater, which are in the city center. It takes half an hour and costs CNY 1. Or you can go by a taxi, taking 12 minutes and costing CNY 15.
Now you can find a local restaurant to have dinner. If you are interested, you can try the Qianzhou Four Treasures, the famous traditional local foods which are rated as ‘China's Famous Snacks’, including Guokui (Crusty Pancake), Noodles, Chasu (Crisp Pie), and Beancurd Jelly. It is advised to finish your dinner before 18:00.
Now you can find a local restaurant to have dinner. If you are interested, you can try the Qianzhou Four Treasures, the famous traditional local foods which are rated as ‘China's Famous Snacks’, including Guokui (Crusty Pancake), Noodles, Chasu (Crisp Pie), and Beancurd Jelly. It is advised to finish your dinner before 18:00.
18:00-19:30 Return Trip to Xi’an
Take a taxi to the Qianxian Railway Station in 15 minutes at a cost of CNY 15.
► Departure: 18:57 at Qianxian Railway Station
► Arrival: 19:27 at Xi’an North Railway Station
► Duration: 30 minutes
► Ticket Fare: CNY 26 for a second-class seat; CNY 42 for a first-class seat.
● Note: If your time is tight and you can't catch the Train D1996, it doesn't matter. There are two more trains for you to choose from – D3682 (20:28-20:59) and D3594 (20:53-21:18).
High Speed Train D1996 from Qianxian to Xi’an
► Departure: 18:57 at Qianxian Railway Station
► Arrival: 19:27 at Xi’an North Railway Station
► Duration: 30 minutes
► Ticket Fare: CNY 26 for a second-class seat; CNY 42 for a first-class seat.
● Note: If your time is tight and you can't catch the Train D1996, it doesn't matter. There are two more trains for you to choose from – D3682 (20:28-20:59) and D3594 (20:53-21:18).