Stone Beast Road in Nanjing

Stone Beast Road in Nanjing

Stone Beast Road is part of the Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum. The first half of the road features 12 pairs (six types) of stone animals lining both sides, in the following order: lions, xiezhis (mythical beasts), camels, elephants, qilins (Chinese unicorns), and horses—four of each type, with two standing and two lying. At the end of the stone animal section stands a pair of stone ornamental columns (also known as huabiao). Beyond this, the road turns northward and is lined with eight stone statues of officials and generals—four civil and four military—placed on either side of the path. The stone figures and animals of the Xiaoling Mausoleum are all carved from single blocks of stone, featuring grand proportions and vivid, rugged designs, making them classic examples of imperial tomb sculpture from the Ming Dynasty.

Location

Inside the Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum, at the foot of Wanzhu Peak, south of Purple Mountain, Xuanwu District, Nanjing

Ticket

Ming Xiaoling Family Ticket (1 adult + 1 child) ★ Summer period (July 3–July 28)

Door price: 105 RMB

Ming Xiaoling Adult Ticket

Door price: 70 RMB

Ming Xiaoling Half-price Ticket (student/child ticket) ★ Summer period (July 3–July 28)

Door price: 35 RMB