Top 10 Interesting Facts about Ming Dynasty Tombs, Changping District

Thirteen tombs entance dagong gate. Photo by Charlie Fong on Wikimedia

Top 10 Interesting Facts about Ming Dynasty Tombs, Changping District

The Ming dynasty tombs are a collection of mausoleums built by the emperor of the Ming dynasty in China. They are thirteen and scattered at the foot of Tianshou Mountain.

Emperor Yongle Zhi Di moved the capital from Nanjing to Beijing in 1421 and started building the imperial tombs. The site was chosen according to the principle of Feng Shu, a Chinese philosophical system of harmonizing everyone with the environment.

Emperor Yongle Zhi Di built the first tomb for himself(Changling Tomb) and the following 12 emperors built their tombs in the same valley in succession.

As time went by, the cluster of tombs became a key cultural protection unit and 5A level scenic spot. In 2003 the Ming tombs were listed by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage.

Learn more about the Ming Dynasty Tombs in these top 10 interesting facts.

1.The Layout of the Ming Dynasty Tombs

The thirteen tombs in Beijing and Xioling mausoleum in Nanjing have similar construction and layout. The tombs are primarily within 8 kilometres away from Changling’s tomb. The main architecture was built on the axis.

The location of the Ming Dynasty tomb was cautiously chosen according to Feng Shu principles. Chang ling (forever tomb) was the first to be built in the Ming Tomb complex. 

The other 12 tombs stretch out on the two sides of Chang tomb land, the main avenue except for Sin Ling (Thinking tomb), which sites separately in the southwest corner. Their distance of the tomb from Chang Ling shows their age or sequence.

The tomb and buildings are laid out according to Chinese hierarchical rules and incorporate sacred way lined with stone monuments and sculptures designed to accommodate royal ceremonies and the passage of the spirit of the dead.

The surrounding mountains enclose the mausoleum in a large natural courtyard, with the main gateway being the gap between two mountains. All thumbs share a path running through the middle of the whole area.

2. Only Three Tombs Are to The Public

Most buildings in the Ming Tombs complex are abandoned due to their age to protect relics and visitors’ safety. Only the repaired tombs are open to the public currently.

Currently, only the changling tomb, Zhaoling Tomb, Dingling Tomb and Sacred way are accessible to the public and the rest of the 13 Ming tombs are off limits.

3. The ChangLing Tomb Was the First Tomb to Be Built

Changling Tomb. Photo by Daniel Case on Wikimedia

It’s a joined tomb of Emperor Yongle and Empress Qian, located in the southern range of Tianshou Mountain. The Chang Ling tomb has been unearthed for scientific research and more than 3,000 relics have been unearthed.

The ChangLing tomb was the first tomb in the Ming tomb and it became the main attraction in this area and is square in the front and round in the rear. The tomb began to be built from 1490 to 1413.

It is the largest, oldest and best-preserved tomb. The palace building in Chang Ling tomb covers an area of about 120 000 square meters with a rectangular front and cylindrical behind it. The rectangular front consists of three courtyards, the emperor but himself.

4. Dingling Tomb is the Only Ming Dynasty Tomb to Have Been Excavated

Dingling tomb. Photo by Garry Todd on Wikimedia

The tomb construction started in 1584 and finished in 1590. Emperor Wanli and his two empresses were buried here.

Among the thirteen tombs, it’s the only excavated one. It turned out to be featured as a museum with three sections, two exhibitions and the underground palace.

The excavation revealed an intact tomb with thousands of silks, textile, porcelain, wool, the Wanli emperor’s skeleton and two empresses.

Visitors can see the two exhibits and the underground palace above the ground to look at the fabulous cultural relics buried with the dead and understand Ming Dynasty art and tomb structure.

5. Zhao ling Tomb is the First Tomb to be Resorted Among the Ming Dynasty Tombs

Its where the twelfth emperor of the Ming dynasty and his three empires were buried. After the end of the Ming dynasty reign, the tomb experienced two large destructions caused by war and heavy rains pouring.

The Qin dynasty repaired the tomb and archaeologists ruled that Ming Tower and Ling’en palace be restored. From 1960-1985 Zhao ling tomb was renovated and maintained by Beijing Cultural Relic Bureau, and it was the best representation of the Ming tomb complex.

6. The Ming Dynasty Tomb Sacred Way

Sacred Way . Photo outsourced on Wikimedia

The sacred way means a walk to heaven. According to Chinese history, an emperor descended from heaven and returned through the walkway and the emperors were referred to as the sons of Heaven.

The sacred way starts at a stone memorial archway and ends at the gate of Chang Ling mausoleum. Walking through, you can enjoy various features such as the Great Red Gate, Shingde Stone Memorial Archway and the stele pavilion, Fire Arch Bridge and Phoenix Gate.

The huge stone sculpture alongside the sacred way records the precious art and power of the Ming dynasty and makes Ming tombs a stone carving art museum. The tomb was revered for celestial order, which means that all features were neatly arranged from south to north because heaven was thought to be located north in pole stars.

7. The Ming Dynasty Tomb Has Spectacular Nearby Attraction

After visiting the tomb, one can go and tour the Juyonnguan Great wall, which is nearby and the most renowned part of the Great Wall, built in a 15 kilometres long valley.

The Juyonnguan great wall will offer a fantastic view of the surrounding mountain with countless peaks, luxuriantly blooming flowers and verdant trees. It was considered as No.1 pass in the world.

During the Jin dynasty, it was listed in the eight great sights of ancient Yanjing and praised as; the Emerald Juyong Guan. Juyongguan is the north portal to Beijing. It’s quite precipitous and steep that ten thousand cannot get through.

8. The Ming Dynasty Tomb Protection and Management Requirements

The tombs have been protected legally by central and local governments. The law of the people’s republic of China on the protection of cultural relics, multi-layered heritage protection authorities and administration have enacted relevant protection regulations and limited areas and construction control zone.

Within the tombs, no property within or outside the inscribed property that may affect a heritage value can be implemented without the approval of the state cultural heritage administration authority.

9. Travelling Tips to the Ming Dynasty Tombs

The best season to visit during autumn and spring to enjoy the beautiful natural scenery and the weather is also comfortable.

The tombs are located northwest of Beijing city and 50 kilometres from Tianmen square. It can be accessed using public transportation or by booking a private tour package with Chinas tour agencies.

10. How to get to Ming Tombs

If you want to visit the Ming dynasty tomb, you can take metro line 5 to Tiantongyuan North station and then transfer to Changping bus No.22 to get there.

Visitors can take the special tourist bus B72 from Deshngmen Gate to Dingling and changling directly. The buses depart every 30 minutes from 7;10 to 19;10 every day.

Also, at Deshngmen west stop, take bus No;919 branches one and get off at Changping Dongguan, then take bus No;314.