Located on Mount Liang, 85 km northwest of Xi'an in Qian County, Shaanxi Province, the Qianling Mausoleum is a renowned Tang dynasty (618–907) imperial tomb complex. Built in 684 with additions through 706, this vast historical site houses the remains of the Tang imperial family, including Emperor Gaozong and his wife, Wu Zetian—China's only reigning female emperor.
When you visit, you will encounter impressive above-ground stone statues lining the spirit way, flanked by two southern peaks known as the "Nipple Hills" that act as a natural gateway to the complex. Deep within the natural mountain peak lies the unexcavated main tomb of Gaozong and Wu Zetian.
You can also explore the surrounding area of 17 attendant tombs, five of which have been excavated. Among these excavated sites—which belong to imperial family members like Prince Zhanghuai (Li Xián), Prince Yide (Li Chongrun), and Princess Yongtai (Li Xianhui)—you will see subterranean tomb walls decorated with vivid Tang mural paintings depicting timber architecture and expressive figures, alongside thousands of ancient pottery tomb artifacts.
What to see at Qianling Mausoleum
- The joint burial site of Emperor Gaozong and Wu Zetian, China's only female emperor
- Spirit way lined with carved stone statues of horses, lions, ostriches, and 61 headless foreign envoys
- Subterranean tomb murals showcasing authentic Tang dynasty architecture and detailed figures
- Excavated attendant tombs containing hundreds of ceramic, gold, and three-glaze colored artifacts
- Natural gateway formed by the twin peaks known as the Nipple Hills (Naitoushan)
Visiting tips
Be sure to inspect the spirit way to view the contrast between Emperor Gaozong's 6.3-meter-tall inscribed stele and Wu Zetian's accompanying blank stele.
How long: 2-4 hours · Best time: Daytime
How to get there & what’s nearby
Qianling Mausoleum is easy to reach on Xi'an’s public transport, and pairs naturally with Terracotta Army and Chang'an. For where to stay, the weather and full itineraries, see our Xi'an travel guide.
See the full Xi'an travel guide for where to stay, the best time to visit and the top things to do.