Ming Tombs Sacred Way & Underground Palace & Water Wall P Tour

5.0 (3 reviews) 8 hours Free cancellation Private tour

out of 5

3 reviews

5.0

Ming Tombs Sacred Way & Underground Palace & Water Wall P Tour — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

The Underground Palace — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

About this activity

This private tour starts with a visit to the site of the Ming Dynasty tombs and includes a visit to the Ding tombs, (or Underground Palace), 89 feet below ground, the only tomb open to the public. On route you’ll pass the grand entrance to the Imperial burial site, The Sacred Way, a decorative walkway lined with impressive sized statues of significance and meaning. Get a glimpse into China’s rich imperial past with the architecture, distinctive wood carvings and ancient relics seen.

After lunch travel to the Huanghuacheng Wall, hike along this wild, original, less visited section, once built in the Ming Dynasty, as part of the inner wall to protect Beijing from a northern invasion. It’s also the only section close to a man-made lake. When the Xishuiyu Dam was built, the wall that crossed the valley floor was flooded. Your guide will show you where to climb the ramparts, and safely navigate the wall to admire the views and the wall cascading into the lake below.

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At a glance

Duration: 8 hours
Confirmation: Instant confirmation
Ticket: Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group: Your group only
People per booking: 1–15
Guide: Chinese, English
Operated by: Mark's Guide & Driver Service Beijing

Ages: Infants (0–3 years) · Children (4–12 years) · Adults (13–99 years)

What is included

Included

Included: Hotel pickup and drop-off
Included: English-speaking Driver(not tour guide inside tourist attractions)
Included: Private transportation with air conditioner car
Included: entrance fee
Included: Chinese lunch

Not included

Not included: Gratuities
Not included: Souvenirs
Not included: English-speaking Tour Guide

Itinerary

Stone Animal

30 min Admission included

Expect to be picked up from your hotel by your professional hiking guide around 8.30 am and driven directly to the site of the Ming tombs, the burial site of 13 of the Ming Dynasty Emperors - about 1.5 hours from the city. It covers an area of 30 acres (12 ha). The Ding Tombs is the only one open to the public.

Marvel at the entrance, known as The Sacred or Spirit Way, a walkway lined with some 36 impressively sized statures; important officials and meritorious figures, exotic animals- lions, camels, elephants, xiezhis, (a mythological unicorn) and the like, each unique or of special significance, which your guide will happily explain.
Dingling Underground Palace

one hour Admission included

Emperor Wanli, the 13th Ming Emperor had the longest reign of the period ruling for 48 years. His tomb, at 89 feet below ground is well preserved and extravagant. Unusual for a burial place it has five rooms. Some of the Emperor’s jewels and other artefacts are on display. Break for lunch at a local Chinese restaurant before enjoying a scenic drive to the Great Wall at Huanghuacheng, a section of the wall less visited, even in Summer time, and still in its original or ‘wild’ condition, unrestored
Water Great Wall at Huanghuacheng

2 hours Admission included

On arrival at Xishuiyu village, your guide will show you the best path to ascend the ramparts and navigate them safely. The wall here follows quite mountainous terrain and affords quite a spectacular hiking experience. Marvel at the breath taking scenery and view of the wall cascading into the man-made lake below.

When summer arrives the entire village below becomes a sea of wild, yellow flowers ('yellow flower' is 'huanghua' in Chinese), hence this section’s name.

Overall the pristine setting, lack of crowds, and cool, clear mountain air make this tour a pleasant contrast from visits to other sections of the Wall.

After your descent you’ll be free to wander down by the lake, take a boat ride to see the submerged section of the wall up close or simply return back to your hotel in Beijing, approximately 1.5 hours away where your guide will wish you a fond farewell.