Qianling Mausoleum is located on Liangshan Hill, about 80 kilometers northwest of Xian. The mausoleum is one of the most famous Tang-era sights in Xian and the place where Emperor Gaozong and his Empress Wu Zetian were buried, which cost 23 years to complete.

The graveyard site was designed based on the city of Changan and the whole mausoleum is laid out on a north-south axis. It was divided into three parts: the imperial city, city wall and outer city. Starting from the first gate, visitors will experience a long ladder with 537 steps before they reach the wide and flat Sima Way leading to the tombstone of Emperor Tanggaozong. The southern part of the mausoleum is sandwiched between two smaller hills and the path to the Emperor's tomb is lined with stone animals as well as human statues. The statues are shaped as horses and ostriches, winged horses and a pair of stone lions. The mausoleum has a collection of 124 stone statues which are testimony to the fact that the trade and diplomatic exchange with the world in Tang Dynasty was very prosperous.

The tomb is exquisitely designed and built and is the only mausoleum that is well preserved to this day. Covering an area of 2.3 square meters, there are about 378 buildings inside the mausoleum, such as the Sacrifice Hall, a Pavilion, a Hall of Ministers and numerous corridors. Unfortunately, there are plenty of buildings which are not well preserved and not in a good shape nowadays.

There are two octagonal pathways at the south entrance. Entering the mausoleum the first sight is the winged horse statues. A pair of ostriches came from Afghanistan. Ten pairs of military figurines also line the path. There are also plenty of life-sized human statues built to represent the 61 foreign emissaries that attended the Emperor's funeral. Each statue is donned with a long robe and a wide belt as well as boots. The name and the country of the figurines are carved on the back of the statues. Unfortunately, some of the figurines are not in a good shape, with head lost along the way.

Having escaped from pillage and destroy for more than 1300 years, as one of the few intact Chinese royal mausoleums, Qianling Mausoleum is is really worth adding to your itinerary while in Xian!