In 1644, the mighty Mings fell and the last Han dynasty
crumbled. However, new rulers were just around the corner. Later
during the same year, “the invaders” (the Manchus) sieged
Beijing and established the Qing dynasty – and later their very
own necropolis. China's two last great dynasties, the Ming
(1368–1644) and the Qing (1644–1912), have left behind monuments
of their lost grandeur: the last resting places of their
emperors and empresses. The Imperial Tombs of the Ming and Qing
Dynasties, represent the architectural styles of the dynasties,
as well as traditional Chinese geomancy and feng shui. These
were rightfully added to the UNESCO World Heritage List, during
the early 2000's. The sites are described to be an outstanding
testimony to a cultural and architectural tradition, that
dominated China for over 500 years. They were built on
astonishing natural sites, according to the finest principles of
feng shui, and are a magnificent sight even for the modern
spectator's eye. In the last article we roamed