Components of an Imperial Tomb

Generally Speaking, an imperial tomb (especially the Ming Tombs) is made up of 8 parts:

1. The tablets that require all to dismount from their horses.

2. The Great Red Gate

3. The Stele Pavilion

4. The Sacred Way-an avenue of stone animals and statues

5. The Gate on the Threshold of Stars, also called the Gate of Dragon and Phoenix.

6. The Soul Tower. It is the essential part of the whole tomb. Usually, it is a double roofed pavilion in which a marble tortoise is kept. On the back of the tortoise is an inscribed stele about the dead emperor.

7. The tumulus itself which includes the Underground Palace where the dead emperor was kept.

8. The buildings where sacrifices were prepared and offered.