Spirit way

The Spirit Way or Sacred Way is a 1km long passage extending from south to north, connecting the Great Palace gate with the Longfeng gate. Construction of the passage began under Emperor Xuande in 1435. The sacred way passes through the Stele pavilion, which contains a large bixi (tortoise-like dragon, carrying the largest stele in China). On both sides it is lined by trees and statues of people and animals.