Ming Tombs
明十三陵 · Changping District, Beijing, China
The Ming imperial burial ground below Mount Tianshou, approached by a Sacred Way about 7 km long lined with stone figures; three tombs are open, Changling, Dingling and Zhaoling, of which Changling is the largest.
Know before you go
- Talking loudly
- touching or climbing the stone figures and historic building parts
- carving on cultural relics
This article is Not yet verified. Please check official announcements for prices, opening hours and dates.
Stories & people
Stories & people
History
A site chosen by feng shui
Following feng shui principles, the Yongle Emperor chose an arc-shaped valley at the foot of Mount Tianshou (originally Huangtu Mountain), north of Beijing, to deflect the evil winds believed to come from the north. This valley of about 40 square kilometres became the Ming imperial necropolis, and most later emperors were buried here.
Source: Wikipedia: Ming tombs
History
The Chongzhen Emperor and Siling
The last Ming emperor, Chongzhen, hanged himself in 1644 and was buried in the tomb of his consort Tian. Li Zicheng later declared this tomb an imperial mausoleum, Siling, though it is far smaller than the other Ming imperial tombs. In the same year Li Zicheng's army ransacked and burned many of the tombs.
Source: Wikipedia: Ming tombs
History
A Qing marquis to tend the tombs
In 1725 the Yongzheng Emperor granted a hereditary marquisate to Zhu Zhilian, a descendant of the Ming imperial house, who drew a Qing salary and performed the rites at the Ming Tombs. In 1750 the Qianlong Emperor posthumously made him Marquis of Extended Grace, a title that passed through twelve generations until the end of the Qing dynasty.
Source: Wikipedia: Ming tombs
History
After Dingling
Dingling is the one tomb among the three now open whose underground palace has been excavated. There have been no new excavations in the tomb area since 1989, though plans for new archaeological research and for opening more tombs have circulated.
Source: Wikipedia: Ming tombs
Culture
Culture & customs
Background
The Ming Tombs lie at the southern foot of Mount Tianshou in Changping District, about 42 km north-northwest of central Beijing. The Sacred Way into the necropolis runs about 7 km, passing in turn the Great Red Gate, the Stele Pavilion of Divine Merit and Sacred Virtue, four white marble huabiao pillars, 18 pairs of stone figures and the Dragon and Phoenix Gate. Three tombs are open to the public, Changling, Dingling and Zhaoling; Changling is the largest, and Dingling's underground palace has been excavated. The site was chosen by the Yongle Emperor according to feng shui principles, and most later Ming emperors were buried in the same valley; by the burial of the Chongzhen Emperor in 1644, 13 Ming emperors lay here. The Hongwu Emperor is buried at the Xiaoling Mausoleum in Nanjing, the Jianwen Emperor disappeared and has no known tomb, and the Jingtai Emperor was not buried here either. In August 2003 the Ming Tombs were inscribed on the World Heritage List as part of the Imperial Tombs of the Ming and Qing Dynasties.
Local customs
- Walk the Sacred Way past the stele pavilion, the huabiao pillars and the stone figures in turn, and feel the ordered sequence of imperial tomb ritual
- at Changling, see the Ling'en Gate, the Ling'en Hall and the layout of the tomb precinct
- at Dingling, learn about the excavation of the underground palace and the history of conserving its finds.
Etiquette & taboos
Etiquette & taboos
Don’t DON'T
- Talking loudly
- touching or climbing the stone figures and historic building parts
- carving on cultural relics
- using flash indoors
Locals appreciate DO
- Keep quiet within the tomb area
- follow the photography rules in the museum
Plan your visit
Practical info
Travel tips
- The tomb area is the whole district containing the 13 imperial tombs, while the Dingling Museum is an exhibition hall attached to Dingling's underground palace
- please keep the two apart. Which tombs are open, tickets and guide services are subject to official information. The area is large, so allow at least half a day.
- From central Beijing you can take a bus or drive to the Shisanling area of Changping District, or take Metro Changping Line and change to a bus
- check official sources for specific routes and services. Spring and autumn bring fine trees and light, ideal for a long walk along the Sacred Way
- in summer protect yourself from sun and heat
- in winter the open tomb area is windy, so dress warmly.
Photos
Photos
ofol · CC BY-SA 3.0
Yan Li · CC BY-SA 3.0
Sources & verification notes
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