Ming Tombs in Beijing

Ming Tombs

The Ming Tombs, built from 1409-1644 A.D., is the resting place for 13 of the 16 Ming emperors, along with their empresses and concubines. The Ming Tombs site was chosen by the third Ming emperor Zhudi (1402 - 1424), who moved the Capital City back from Nanjing to the present location of Beijing. Later, tombs of succeeding Ming Emperors were also situated here, totaling 13 in all. The 1st, 2nd, and 7th emperors are buried in different locations.

Evidently the site fits all the rules of Feng Shui. The tombs, at the foot of Tianshou Mountain, are protected on 3 sides due to mountain range that lies to the North, deterring any evil spirits thought to be brought along the north wind. This 40 square kilometer area - enclosed by the mountains in a pristine valley full of dark earth, tranquil water and other necessities as per Feng Shui – would become the perfect royal necropolis of the Ming Dynasty.

The Ming Tombs are scattered in an orderly manner all over a picturesque valley with orchards and rolling hills. This is a wonderful site for many reasons. First, it is outside of Beijing, 50 km north of the capital, so you get a chance to get out of the bustling city and see a bit of the countryside. The area is rural and beautiful, with tree lined roads and crop fields behind. Second, it is relatively close to the Great Wall, 24km, so you can see both in one day. Third, the Ming Tombs are pretty impressive, even though only one of the 13 has been excavated and only 3 are open to the public so far: Changling - the first and the grandest, Dingling - the only excavated, Zhaoling – the first to go through a large-scale restoration. (See the sketch map above)

Stroll along the Sacred Road

As you are making your way to and from the Ming Tombs, don't miss the Sacred Road. Many of the guided tours will not take you there, or if they do there is an extra charge. It is well worth paying the extra though. China Odyssey Tours will definitely not disappoint you and we will take you there, tourists' favorite part of the whole imperial complex.

The road is about 7 km long and 18 pairs of beautifully carved statues of real and mythical animals and guardians are shown. These include four each of three types of officials: civil, military and meritorious officials, symbolizing those who assisted the emperor in the administration of the state, plus four each of six types of animals: lion, griffin, elephant, unicorn, camel and horse, representing different animals found on the vast land of the Ming Empire.

The road is about 7 km long and 18 pairs of beautifully carved statues of real and mythical animals and guardians are shown. These include four each of three types of officials: civil, military and meritorious officials, symbolizing those who assisted the emperor in the administration of the state, plus four each of six types of animals: lion, griffin, elephant, unicorn, camel and horse, representing different animals found on the vast land of the Ming Empire.

The Sacred Road was built for the emperors' funeral processions, through which the sitting emperors would go to perform memorial rituals for the ancestors once a year. The statues are cool, standing magnificently on both sides of the road watching over the entrance to the Tombs. These vivid statues were supposed to serve the emperor in his afterlife. Each statue is amazing in size and detail should not be missed.

Dingling (Ling means mausoleum in Chinese)

All the thirteen Ming Tombs were built with the same layout, structure and style. They are simply different in size and grandness. Of the Ming tombs, only Dingling has been excavated. That makes it the pick of the imperial tombs and therefore China Odyssey Tours recommends it as your first choice if you plan to explore the Ming Tombs. It is the mausoleum of Emperor Wanli and his two empresses.

Soul Tower

The complex, located in a giant cypress forest, has many interesting buildings, including the Soul Tower. Take some extra time to walk around the mound and get a good look at the site, also a great view of the area is available from the Soul Tower and you may see one of the other tombs in the distance. The mound behind the Soul Tower is the resting place for the emperor.

Underground Palace

The Dingling Underground Palace, unveiled in 1956, was the only of the 13 Ming Tombs to be excavated and officially opened to the public. Emperor Wanli and his two empresses were buried in the 27-meter-deep Underground Palace (9 floors below). It's an impressive size, but there is not too much to see. Some of the objects unearthed can be seen in the nearby exhibition halls, so it's worth a visit.

More than 3000 articles unearthed from this palace are on display in the two exhibition halls that sit in front of the Soul Tower. The most precious objects include the emperor's crown and robes, empresses' jewels and phoenix tiaras. With two dragons playing with a pearl, the emperor's gold crown is made of extremely thin gold threads. The empress crown is inlaid with blue kingfisher feathers.

Changling

Changling is the first tomb to be built and also the biggest of the 13 Ming tombs. The third emperor Zhudi, his empress, and concubines are thought to be buried behind the Spirit Tower under a huge earthen mound.  

In ancient times, people believed the existence of an after-world and the dead "lived" a life similar to that of the living. Ming emperors, therefore, have grand mausoleums built for themselves. Even though the underground palace of Changling remains a mystery to the world, Changling is still famous for its grandness.

In Changling, the magnificent is held up with 32 single tree columns, all made from whole nanmu logs. They are considered extremely rare in the world. And the hall is China's best protected and largest nanmu wooden structure. There are some very neat things to see in Changling: a giant statue of the emperor, facsimiles of many recovered relics from the tomb, and ancient trees and fantastic flowers. It all adds up to a great site.