The Sacred Way - A Sacred Way is always found in an imperial cemetery. The Sacred Way of the Ming Tombs is 7 kilometers long from the Memorial Stone Archway to the gate of Chang Ling. Along the sacred way are Marble Archway, Great Palace Gate, Tablet Tower, Stone Statues and Dragon and Phoenix Gate.

The Sacred Waywas originally built for Chang Ling, Emperor Zhu Di’s tomb, but since the other twelve tombs were also built in this area, either to the right or to the left of Chang Ling, the Sacred Waybecame the main road for all of the thirteen tombs