You have no items in your shopping cart.
Subtotal: $0.00
Get Immediate Response of Your Queries, ADD US ON
+86-13910830737
Compare Products
You have no items to compare.
Ming Tombs (Thirteen Tombs of Ming Dynasty)
Introducing Ming Tombs (Thirteen Tombs of Ming Dynasty)
The Ming Tombs, also known as the ‘Thirteen Tombs of Ming Dynasty’, are a collection of mausoleums built by the emperors of the Ming Dynasty. They are located in a cluster near Beijing, specifically within the suburban Changping District, 42 kilometers north-northwest of Beijing’s city center. The site was chosen based on the principles of Fengshui by the third Ming emperor, the Yongle Emperor. The tombs are situated on the southern slope of Tianshou Mountain, enclosed by mountains on three sides, in a quiet valley, where a river flows nearby. According to Fengshui theory, this site is in harmony with nature, embodying the Taoist pursuit of a perfect realm of ‘Nature and Man as One’.
The first tomb built in this complex was the Changling Tomb, constructed in 1409 by Emperor Zhudi. The subsequent twelve emperors of the Ming Dynasty had their tombs built there over the following 230 years. The tombs are home to 13 out of the 16 emperors of the Ming Dynasty, along with their wives and concubines. The Ming Tombs were listed by UNESCO as World Cultural Heritage in 2003. Visiting these tombs offers insights into Ming Dynasty imperial life (1368–1644), including stone thrones, huge human and animal sculptures, and other evidence of Chinese culture and traditions.
Ming Tombs (Thirteen Tombs of Ming Dynasty) Fast Facts
• Chinese Name: Ming Shi San Ling 明十三陵
• Best Time to Visit: April, May, September and October
• Recommended Visiting Hours: About 2 to 3 hours
• Opening Hours: 8:00 – 17:00 (Apr – Oct), 8:30 – 16:30 (Nov – Mar)
• Entrance Fee
Apr 1 to Oct 31: Sacred Way CNY30, Dingling Tomb CNY60, Changling Tomb CNY45
Nov 1 to Mar 31: Sacred Way CNY20, Dingling Tomb CNY40, Changling Tomb CNY30
• Address: Changci Road, Shisanling Town, Changping District, Beijing
Reasons to Visit the Ming Tombs (Thirteen Tombs of Ming Dynasty)
• The Ming Tombs are the final resting place of 13 emperors of the Ming Dynasty, making it a significant historical site.
• The Ming Tombs showcase the superb architectural style of the Ming Dynasty, with intricate carvings and designs.
• Visiting the Ming Tombs offers insights into Ming Dynasty imperial life, including stone thrones, huge human and animal sculptures, and other evidence of Chinese culture and traditions.
• The Ming Tombs are located in a serene valley surrounded by mountains, offering visitors a chance to enjoy China’s natural beauty.
• The Ming Tombs were listed by UNESCO as World Cultural Heritage in 2003, adding to their global importance.
What to Expect at Ming Tombs (Thirteen Tombs of Ming Dynasty)
The Sacred Way
The Sacred Way, also known as the Divine Road, is a significant part of the Ming Tombs complex. It is a seven-kilometer-long road that leads to all the tombs in the area. Construction of the Sacred Way started from 1435 and more buildings were added in 1540. The Sacred Way starts with a huge stone memorial archway, which is the earliest and biggest stone archway existing in China today. Further along the path, visitors will find the Stele Pavilion of Divine Merits and Sacred Virtues, which houses a 50-ton tortoise carrying a stone tablet. The path is lined with 12 human figures, including generals, civil officials, and meritorious officials, and 24 animals such as lions, camels, elephants, xiezhi (a mythological unicorn), qilin (one of the four “divine animals”), and horses. Each animal is represented by four statues: two standing and two squatting.
The Sacred Way was originally built to lead to the Changling mausoleum. However, as twelve more mausoleums were built in the area over time, it became the main passage for all thirteen tombs. The stone carvings, gravely modeled, accords with the solemn atmosphere of commemoration of the tombs and achieve a very high artistic level.
Changling Tomb
The Changling Tomb, built for Emperor Zhu Di or the Yongle Emperor, the third ruler of the Ming Dynasty, is a significant historical site. Construction began in 1409 and concluded in 1427, serving as the final resting place for both Emperor Zhu Di and his Empress Xu. The tomb spans approximately 120,000 square meters, with a layout that is square at the front and round at the back.
The primary structure within the Changling Tomb is the Blessing and Grace Palace, also known as Ling’en Palace. This was the site where sacrifices were made in honor of Emperor Zhu Di. The palace stands on a three-story-high white marble pedestal and features a double-eave structure with a hip roof. The floor is adorned with golden bricks.
The palace’s grandeur is further accentuated by its sixty large pillars and wooden structural components, all made from Jinsi Nanmu, a rare and durable type of wood. This lends an antique and unique charm to Ling’en Hall. A strikingly lifelike bronze statue of Emperor Yongle, seated on a throne intricately carved with nine dragons, adds to the palace’s splendor.
Since the entombment of Emperor Zhu Di, the Changling Tomb has remained unopened and unexcavated. It is believed to have been untouched by robbers. This preservation allows it to offer a unique glimpse into the life and times of the Ming Dynasty.
Dingling Tomb
The Dingling Tomb is the mausoleum of Emperor Zhu Yijun, also known as the Wanli Emperor, who was the fourteenth emperor of the Ming Dynasty. The construction of the Dingling Tomb began in 1584 and was completed in 1590. It is the joint burial mausoleum of Emperor Zhu Yijun and his two empresses, Wang Xijie and Dowager Xiaojing.
The Dingling Tomb is the only tomb of a Ming dynasty emperor that has been excavated since the founding of the People’s Republic of China. The excavation started in May 1956 and was finished one year later. The Underground Palace is composed of five stone chambers: the front chamber, the middle chamber, the rear chamber and the left and right annex chambers. The excavation revealed an intact 1,195 square meters tomb, more than 3,000 artifacts; thousands of items of silk, textiles, wood, and porcelain, and the skeletons of the Wanli Emperor and his two empresses.
However, there was neither the technology nor the resources to adequately preserve the excavated artifacts. After several disastrous experiments, most of the surviving artifacts have severely deteriorated. Despite these challenges, the Dingling Tomb remains a significant historical site that offers a glimpse into the life and times of the Ming Dynasty.
How to Get to Ming Tombs (Thirteen Tombs of Ming Dynasty)
• By bus: Take bus 872 from Deshengmen Bus Station to Dingling and Changling.
• Charter a car or bus from GGC: Travel in comfort and style with your own private driver to visit the Ming Tombs.
Additional Travel Advice on Ming Tombs (Thirteen Tombs of Ming Dynasty)
• Visitors can also explore Juyongguan Great Wall which is around 20 km from Ming Tombs. Badaling Great Wall is 30 km away.
• A popular itinerary for touring the Ming Tombs and nearby attractions: Badaling Great Wall or Juyongguan Great Wall → Sacred Way → Dingling → Changling.