明十三陵

Why this place

The Ming Tombs are the burial complex of thirteen Ming emperors, in a valley north of Beijing chosen for its feng shui — mountains on three sides, a river to the south. Each tomb has its own approach road lined with stone figures, and the Sacred Way to the whole complex is 7km long.

What to see

• The Sacred Way with its pairs of stone animals and officials
• Changling, the tomb of the Yongle emperor, with the largest surviving timber hall
• Dingling, the only tomb excavated, whose underground palace can be entered
• Zhaoling and the smaller tombs, which are quiet and unvisited

What to eat

• Country restaurants in the villages around the tombs
• Beijing-style cooking once you are back in the city

How to plan

Half a day, usually combined with the Great Wall at Mutianyu.

Best time

April–May and September–October