Tomb of Emperor Tang Gaozong (Qianling)
Tomb of Emperor Tang Gaozong (Qianling)
4
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Monday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Tuesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Wednesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Thursday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Friday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Saturday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Sunday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
4.0
41 reviews
Excellent
17
Very good
16
Average
6
Poor
2
Terrible
0
DCReynolds
Cape Cod2 contributions
As part of a college study tour, our professor brought us to the tombs just outside of Xian. The bus ride was long and our tour guide and driver got lost but we did find it with some help of the locals and a quick bribe. The layout itself was awesome and the views even better. Most of the group went to the top of the mountain by way of horse but I stayed back to rest in the shade and examine the headless statues. There is where I met a cute Chinese girl who wanted to practice her English. Her parents owned one of the stores near the tombs and she gave me a history lesson about the site. She was great and I wanted to bring her back to the States but we had to leave. I wish her well in her education at the University studying English. Overall the site was a great place and would encourage those who visit Xian to take a day and see it.
Written September 14, 2006
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Fiona K
Hong Kong, China56 contributions
Apr 2017 • Solo
I paid my respects to her. That was something I wanted to do since young. I fulfilled my dreams.
Why is her stone stele wordless?
She had left it wordless for generations to carve their opinions of her. The words you see carved into her stele are from the scholars in the later dynasties. She wanted to be judged for her actions by the future.
She was the epitome of how far a woman can rise in a male dominated society. She was maligned because she was a ruling empress who did what male emperors do - execute relatives if they pose a threat. Male rulers did it and no one made noise because they are men.
For centuries, she was termed as an 'evil' woman by neo-confucianists and stated as a negative example. No one looked at how she formed the foundations of the Tang Dynasty to be the strongest empire of its era on earth. She dug out pits to store grain in case of famine. She secured the silk road and made it safer for merchants to trade across the route. She emphasised on meritocracy and gave women the right to an education/justice etc. Everyone had the right to be an official if they studied and pass the imperial examinations including the farmers. The western feminists are peanuts to what this woman did for the women of her day. Queen Elizabeth I do not even come close to what she did. There was none like her.
There is horse riding up the mountain but I wouldn't advise it for those weak in the stomach. I chose the route which winds around a narrow path between the rocks and a sharp drop down to oblivion. Good for thrill seekers. The ones running the business are locals who know the area very well and if you understand mandarin, some can tell you a lot more than your tour guide or the books.
Most businesses are ran by enterprising locals in the area. Some are descendants of those who once stayed to guard the tombs ( in the old days , it was an honor to be given land to guard an imperial family's grave - you don't get involved in politics that much and you are least likely to be executed because of your lack of involvement in politics).
I recommend that you take the trolley cart/mini bus service which runs on the main road. Its around 60 yuan and it makes crucial stops at each key tomb sites.
It is recommended as a visit if you enjoy Tang history.
Why is her stone stele wordless?
She had left it wordless for generations to carve their opinions of her. The words you see carved into her stele are from the scholars in the later dynasties. She wanted to be judged for her actions by the future.
She was the epitome of how far a woman can rise in a male dominated society. She was maligned because she was a ruling empress who did what male emperors do - execute relatives if they pose a threat. Male rulers did it and no one made noise because they are men.
For centuries, she was termed as an 'evil' woman by neo-confucianists and stated as a negative example. No one looked at how she formed the foundations of the Tang Dynasty to be the strongest empire of its era on earth. She dug out pits to store grain in case of famine. She secured the silk road and made it safer for merchants to trade across the route. She emphasised on meritocracy and gave women the right to an education/justice etc. Everyone had the right to be an official if they studied and pass the imperial examinations including the farmers. The western feminists are peanuts to what this woman did for the women of her day. Queen Elizabeth I do not even come close to what she did. There was none like her.
There is horse riding up the mountain but I wouldn't advise it for those weak in the stomach. I chose the route which winds around a narrow path between the rocks and a sharp drop down to oblivion. Good for thrill seekers. The ones running the business are locals who know the area very well and if you understand mandarin, some can tell you a lot more than your tour guide or the books.
Most businesses are ran by enterprising locals in the area. Some are descendants of those who once stayed to guard the tombs ( in the old days , it was an honor to be given land to guard an imperial family's grave - you don't get involved in politics that much and you are least likely to be executed because of your lack of involvement in politics).
I recommend that you take the trolley cart/mini bus service which runs on the main road. Its around 60 yuan and it makes crucial stops at each key tomb sites.
It is recommended as a visit if you enjoy Tang history.
Written April 24, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
hweeying
Johor Bahru, Malaysia4,454 contributions
Sep 2015 • Family
We visited Qianling by Sept 2015. We used public transport to come here. We went to Xian station (西安火车站东广场）aboard a tourist bus called Yousanlu (游3路) which was departure only ONCE per day at 8 am. Bus fare is CNY50 return. We aboard the bus before 8 am but we had to wait until 8:40 am to start our journey because the bus was not full and the driver still keep waiting. This bus is very special because there was a female tour guide followed the tourist went to Qianling. She will explained the history of Xian and Qianling in Mandarin during the journey take about 90-120 min. She collected CNY202 (adult price) from tourist which including entrance ticket CNY162. Student will get some discount, make sure to mention when make the payment.
Our bus was direct stopped at the entrance, then we followed the guide visited the main attraction and the guide sharing many Tang dynasty stories, which make our visit more interesting. We spent about 3 hours here. We also visited prince and princess (grandson & grand-daughter who was killed by Wuzhetian) underground palace which is located 5 km from Qianling.
Our bus was direct stopped at the entrance, then we followed the guide visited the main attraction and the guide sharing many Tang dynasty stories, which make our visit more interesting. We spent about 3 hours here. We also visited prince and princess (grandson & grand-daughter who was killed by Wuzhetian) underground palace which is located 5 km from Qianling.
Written October 11, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Paraskevi L
16 contributions
Oct 2018 • Couples
This was one of my favorite sights my husband took me to in Xian. One of his friends drove us there. It was definitely very interesting, amazing and beautiful!!! I loved the scenery, quiet an the history behind it. It was so peaceful especially when the sun sets at night. We recently went last week and the weather was perfect!
Written November 5, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
10SWright
Spalding, UK24 contributions
Sep 2018 • Couples
A great many of the statues have been damaged or removed to museums, but you get a good idea of the vastness of the area. A long journey and not one I would revisit.
Written October 23, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
khingkwl
Hong Kong, China73 contributions
Mar 2017 • Solo
Read Kung fu history story book, writing about the Lady EMPEROR, so very interested to go to QIANLING. Also found more actual history material about this Lady Emperor and the tomb.
Finally, visited yesterday, with the sudden unexpected Snow covered the whole place white silver surface.
換上銀裝的乾陵 really so beautiful and match the mood to go back to over a thousand year old history.
Had to walking slow because of the slippery ground, this allow us to read the stone statues carefully. We found 無字碑 wordless stone; this is so mysterious.
Why the only Lady Emperor in Chinese history Not note down her glory ( from herself viewpoint, she must be great ) ?
The whole area is not modern polluted, with a lot of plants and trees merged with those
Stone history, is a comfortable walking tour. If not so heavy snow, we can spend the whole day.
Finally, visited yesterday, with the sudden unexpected Snow covered the whole place white silver surface.
換上銀裝的乾陵 really so beautiful and match the mood to go back to over a thousand year old history.
Had to walking slow because of the slippery ground, this allow us to read the stone statues carefully. We found 無字碑 wordless stone; this is so mysterious.
Why the only Lady Emperor in Chinese history Not note down her glory ( from herself viewpoint, she must be great ) ?
The whole area is not modern polluted, with a lot of plants and trees merged with those
Stone history, is a comfortable walking tour. If not so heavy snow, we can spend the whole day.
Written March 13, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JimmyTheJock
Cardiff, UK92 contributions
Jul 2015 • Solo
Some distance out of Xi'an but nevertheless an interesting site to visit if you have the time. You really need to be staying in Xi'an a few days before this features on your itinerary but if you are then the effort will be repaid with truly spectacular views as well as adding to your understanding of the fascinating culture and history of this part of China.
It's a long walk from the car park up to the Tomb itself but you should take the opportunity to capture some wonderful images of the surrounding countryside and just marvel at how advanced Chinese civilisation was so many years ago.
It's a long walk from the car park up to the Tomb itself but you should take the opportunity to capture some wonderful images of the surrounding countryside and just marvel at how advanced Chinese civilisation was so many years ago.
Written February 22, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
seijinm82
Singapore, Singapore133 contributions
Dec 2014 • Friends
Visited this place during winter, on Dec 2014. Entry tickets is CNY82; inclusive of the satellite tombs.
While it's not a must, do pay this tomb a visit if you have some spare time. Buried in the main tomb is Emperor Wuzhetian and her husband Emperor Gaozhong. The soul way linking to the burial mound is splendid; however since the tomb has not been excavated, there isn't much to see as the pavement turns from bricks to soil. Just remember to see the "nipple hills", two peaks that is identified as a pair of breast and the "wordless tablet". 3 other satellite tombs: Tomb of Prince Yide, Tomb of Princess Yong Tai and Tomb of Prince Zhanghuai have been excavated and is only assessable by the battery car priced at CNY30 for a one-way round trip.
The battery car will first bring you around the site area according to this direction:
Ticketing office - Tomb of Prince Yide - Tomb of Princess Yongtai - Tomb of Prince Zhanghuai - Qianling Mausoleum (the battery cars will only move as a group; that is the driver will wait for all the passengers that he dropped off at one location before heading to the next one, so pray that you have co-operative people in the group)
As I did not follow any tour group, there are limited options to reach this place. Usually, the cheapest, probably the easiest way is to take Tourism bus No. 3 from Xi'an Railway Station (the bus station next to it). Depending on the amount of passengers, the bus will depart once it's full; however if not, it will depart before 9.00am. As winter time is a low season, I reached the station at 7.45am and the bus only departed at around 8.45am with 8 passengers. Do note that there is only one return bus from the Mausoleum as well (while the website says the return bus departs at 3.00pm, do check with the bus driver - mine left at 2.30pm).
While it's not a must, do pay this tomb a visit if you have some spare time. Buried in the main tomb is Emperor Wuzhetian and her husband Emperor Gaozhong. The soul way linking to the burial mound is splendid; however since the tomb has not been excavated, there isn't much to see as the pavement turns from bricks to soil. Just remember to see the "nipple hills", two peaks that is identified as a pair of breast and the "wordless tablet". 3 other satellite tombs: Tomb of Prince Yide, Tomb of Princess Yong Tai and Tomb of Prince Zhanghuai have been excavated and is only assessable by the battery car priced at CNY30 for a one-way round trip.
The battery car will first bring you around the site area according to this direction:
Ticketing office - Tomb of Prince Yide - Tomb of Princess Yongtai - Tomb of Prince Zhanghuai - Qianling Mausoleum (the battery cars will only move as a group; that is the driver will wait for all the passengers that he dropped off at one location before heading to the next one, so pray that you have co-operative people in the group)
As I did not follow any tour group, there are limited options to reach this place. Usually, the cheapest, probably the easiest way is to take Tourism bus No. 3 from Xi'an Railway Station (the bus station next to it). Depending on the amount of passengers, the bus will depart once it's full; however if not, it will depart before 9.00am. As winter time is a low season, I reached the station at 7.45am and the bus only departed at around 8.45am with 8 passengers. Do note that there is only one return bus from the Mausoleum as well (while the website says the return bus departs at 3.00pm, do check with the bus driver - mine left at 2.30pm).
Written February 10, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jlantern3
Columbia, SC12,924 contributions
May 2011
Situated a ways outside of Xi'an=can be reached on one of the "western tours". well worth the stop. Tang dynasty Emperor and his wife the Famed Empress Wu are buried inside the Mountain. The Statues are classic beauties. The headless men statues are neat and have quite a story to them. Many vendors sell food and trinkets. Tourists can ride horses to the top. I was with a tour group and didn't have the time. Great views of the valley below can be had. Looking up the hill at the statues in "The Spirit Way" is wonderful! From a distance, the "Nipple Hills" truly earns its name
Written February 10, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dannie TY Lim
8 contributions
May 2019
This is a huge place with a lot of walking (but then again, where in China you don't have to walk). The place is well organised (for a tomb).
Written August 6, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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