Among the empresses entombed at the complex is Xiaozhuangwen, who assisted her son and grandson - Emperors Shunzhi and Kangxi – in ruling China.

Empress Cixi, who controlled state affairs from behind a screen and influenced China for nearly half a century as an actual ruler, is also buried at the site.

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization listed the tombs as world cultural heritage in 2000.

Great Wall

Tangshan has a 220 km length of the Great Wall that contains the fort at Qingshanguan Pass built in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644).

The stretch includes a gate under water, a fortification with 72 rooms and towers that each hold their own legends.

The pass was listed as a provincial-level protected historical site in 1956.

An ancient town near the pass was built for the army then stationed there and their families and shares the same name as the pass.

The military center and primitive town are now a must-see attraction for tourists.

Summer resorts

Qingshanguan Pass.

Tangshan also has a string of pleasant islands that offer a refuge from the hot summer.

Among them, Yuetuo – or Moon Island – is shaped like a crescent moon. An ancient Chinese legend says a fairy woman lives on the half-square-km island where the scent of fresh flowers and wild fruit is in the air. It is home to hundreds of bird species.

Not far from Yuetuo Island is Qianshuiwan Beach, a State-level AA scenic spot on Dawanggang Island.

The fine sands of its 1,000-m beach can accommodate tens of thousands of nature lovers.

Since a Hong Kong firm invested in developing the beach, local tourism facilities have been significantly improved. More than 30 holiday sites, a public square, shopping streets and other services are operational on the island.

Activities such as water slides, recreational boats, soccer and volleyball have added to the holiday attraction of the beach.

Other islands in Tangshan also offer relaxing holidays.

(China Daily August 9, 2008)