Hike Tang Imperial Tombs: Qianling, Jianling, and Zhaoling

Your private guide will greet you promptly in your hotel lobby at the scheduled time, holding a Trekinfini pick-up sign displaying your name. From there, you’ll travel to Qianling Mausoleum in a comfortable private vehicle—an 80-kilometer journey that takes approximately 90 minutes, allowing you to relax before the day’s exploration begins.

Qianling Mausoleum is celebrated for its massive, exquisitely detailed stone sculptures, and it serves as the final resting place of two Tang Dynasty rulers: Emperor Gaozong and his wife, Empress Regnant Wu Zetian—who famously crowned herself emperor in 695 AD. Their imperial mausoleum set the benchmark for all subsequent Tang funerary Sacred Ways. During this immersive field exploration, you’ll visit the four gates of the inner tomb wall that enclose Mount Liangshan: the East Azure Dragon Gate, North Black Tortoise Gate, West White Tiger Gate, and South Vermillion Bird Gate. From the West White Tiger Gate, embark on a 60-minute hike to the summit of Mount Liangshan (1,048 meters above sea level), then descend past the tomb chamber entrance to the South Vermillion Bird Gate. Wander along the Sacred Way to Nipple Hills (the second ceremonial gate) before moving to the first ceremonial gate, where you’ll enjoy a panoramic overview of the entire Qianling Mausoleum complex.

Lunch is not part of the tour package, but your guide will be happy to recommend authentic local dining options tailored to your tastes. To ensure a smooth experience, please inform us in advance of any special dietary requirements—such as vegetarian, gluten-free, or Halal preferences—and we will make the necessary arrangements to accommodate you.

Jianling Mausoleum is the burial site of Emperor Suzong of the Tang Dynasty, renowned for its extensive collection of well-preserved above-ground stone statues. Along its Sacred Way, 36 intricately carved ornamental columns, stone animals, and guardian officials stand majestically—remaining intact through the centuries. Widely recognized as the most exquisitely crafted and best-preserved stone carvings among all 18 Tang Dynasty imperial mausoleums, Jianling’s sculptures offer a vivid glimpse into the artistic prowess of the era.

Zhaoling is the mausoleum of Emperor Taizong, widely regarded as one of China’s greatest emperors. In 636 AD, Emperor Taizong selected Mount Jiuzong as the site for his final resting place, naming it Zhaoling. The mausoleum is globally famous for the six stone horse reliefs that once lined its Sacred Way. Notably, two of these iconic reliefs were smuggled to the United States in 1920 and sold to the University of Pennsylvania for $125,000—hailed by the Penn Museum as the most significant examples of Chinese sculpture outside China. The remaining four horse reliefs are now preserved in Xi’an’s Stele Forest Museum.

At the conclusion of your tour, you’ll board the private vehicle for the return journey to your Xi’an hotel. The 76-kilometer trip takes roughly 1.5 hours, giving you time to reflect on the day’s discoveries of Tang Dynasty imperial heritage.