More Beijing Day 3: Ming Tombs and Sacred Way

Before arriving at the The Great Wall on our second full day in Beijing, we stopped at a jade factory, where we watched artisans carve and polish jade before admiring the many pieces displayed in their showroom.

Amazingly, this is carved out of just one piece of rock.

Just afterward, we stopped for lunch at the Friendship Store, which contained a cloisonne art factory. Cloisonne is a technique used to create metal objects with enamel decorations - pieces of metal are soldered to a metal object such as a vase, where the metal rods form outlines of images. The spaces are filled with enamel paste, then placed in a kiln. Finally, empty areas are gilded.

Adding colored enamel to a vase.

Tuesday afternoon was spent touring the Ming Dynasty Imperial Tombs, in the foothills of the JunDu mountains. The site was carefully chosen according to Feng Shui principles - to ward off bad spirits and chilling winds from the north, this quiet valley full of dark earth and tranquil water was chosen as the resting spot for 13 emperors of the Ming Dynasty.

The Great Red Gate

The Sacred Way - a 7km path lined with willows and carved animals and figures. This is one of the few areas where the Emperor had to travel on foot when paying respect to his ancestors. No animals were allowed to carry him along this path.

The animals include pairs of lions, camels, elephants and the mythical qilin.

Generals and civil officials also stand guard.

We visited one of the two of the tombs open to the public - ChangLing - located about 2 1/2 miles from the entrance way. We drove, rather than walk the entire distance:)

This sacred silk burner was filled with money, reminding us of a wishing well.


ChangLing Mausoleum

And another beautiful sunset.