The buildings, sculptures and interior decoration of the Ming Tombs in Beijing are the highlights of 5,000 years of Chinese burial practice. They contain the best elements of the culture of Central and North China. However, the following dynasty, the Qing (1644-1912), also left magnificent imperial mausoleums. They are significant examples of the architecture and culture of the Manchus, a nomadic tribe from Northeast China which overthrew the Ming dynasty.
There are two main groups, the Eastern Qing Tombs and the Western Qing Tombs. The Eastern Qing Tombs are located at Zunhua, 125 kilometres northeast of Beijing. They are the largest, most complete and best preserved extant mausoleum complex in China. The Western Qing Tombs are located some 140 kilometers southwest of Beijing in Yi County, Hebei Province.
There are four royal mausoleums which are the last resting places of four emperors along with their empresses, imperial concubines, princes and princesses. Because both groups of tombs are located far from Bejiing they are not often visited by foreigners, which is in itself a good reason to go.
