The Ming Tombs(Shisan Ling) are situated at the south foot of the Heavenly Longevity Mountain (Tianshou Shan), Changping District, Beijing. They cover a total area of 40sqkm and are the largest imperial tombs of the Ming Dynasty.

After Zhu Di (the second emperor of the Ming Dynasty) moved the capital from Nanjing to Beijing, 13 emperors of the Ming Dynasty were buried here, and therefore the Ming Tombs are also named the Thirteen Royal Tombs(Shisan Ling).Until today, Ming Tombs are still completely preserved.

From the three sides (east, west, and north) of the tomb area, the location looks like a screen and arch. Flanking the south are the Dragon Hill and Tiger Hill. Big Palace Gate is located between two hills. Inside the gate is a big basin. The Wenyu River meanders through the area from the northwest.

The Ming Tombs are surrounded by mountains, and the 13 tombs were all built along the mountains. The thirteen tombs are nearly the same in layout except in area. They are all rectangles in shape and at the end of the tombs are the Precious City of round or elliptical shapes; the sacred ways connect the thirteen tombs.

The Ming Tombs buried 13 emperors, 23 empresses, 1 highest-ranking imperial concubine and tens of officials. The Ming Tombs which began building in 1409, took more than 200 years to complete.

The names of the Ming Tombs and the emperors buried there are respectively Chang Tomb (Zhu Di), Xian Tomb (Zhu Gaochi), Jing Tomb (Zhu Zhanji), Yu Tomb(Zhu Qizhen), Mao Tomb (Zhu Jianshen), Tai Tomb (Zhu Youtang), Kang Tomb (Zhu Houzhao), Yong Tomb(Zhu Houcong), Zhao Tomb (Zhu Zaihou), Ding Tomb (Zhu Yijun), Qing Tomb (Zhu Chaoluo), De Tomb (Zhu Youxiao) and Si Tomb (Zhu Youjian).

Among the 13 Ming Tombs, only Chang Tomb(Chang Ling), Zhao Tomb(Zhao Ling) and Ding Tomb(Ding Ling) are open to tourists. Ding Tomb is the only one in which the underground palace has been excavated.

Name:Beijing The Ming Tombs (Shisan Ling)
City:Beijing
Address:Changping District
Admission:CNY60
Hours: 09:00am-04:00pm
Tel: 0086-10-60763104
Admission:CNY60 (Apr-Oct)
CNY40 (Nov-Mar)

This article was posted on 2007-08-21
This article has been viewed times.