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Beijing Ming Tombs
Some 50 kilometers northwest of the downtown Beijing, the Ming Tombs (明十三陵) are generally combined with a visit to the 
Great Wall. Otherwise known as the “13 Tombs”, this is the burial site of 13 out of 17 emperors of the Ming Dynasty. The construction of this imperial cemetery stated in 1409 and took more than 200 years to complete until the doom of the dynasty. It is the largest clusters of imperial cemeteries in China. In 2003, Ming Tomb was listed as the World Cultural Heritage. At present, Chang Tomb, Ding Tomb and Zhao Tomb are accessible to visitors.
Chang Tomb, at the south foot of Mt. Tianshou, is the mausoleum of the third emperor of Ming Dynasty, Zhuli and his empress. Chang Tomb is the largest, oldest and most protected of the tombs and it is the main tourist sport. The tomb began to construct in 1409 and accomplished after 4 years.
Covered an area of 120,000 square meters, the structures are based on the central axis: the gate of the tomb, the door of Eminent Favor, the Hall of Eminent Favor, the Dragon and Phoenix Gate, Soul Tower and Wall-encircled mound in from which the Hall of Eminent Favor is the most impressive and important. It is reckoned as one of the largest wooden buildings in China, because all architecturally such as columns, beams, etc. nanmu a consistently high quality are made from softwood.
Ding Tomb is the mausoleum of the thirteenth emperor, Zhu Yijun and his two empresses, in the southwest of Chang Tomb. It is the only one excavated in this graveyard up till now. Covering an area of 180,000 square meters, the whole tomb is divided into two parts: on the ground and underground. On the ground, it is consisted of stone bridge, a-stele pavilion and other accessories.
The underground, commonly known as “underground palace” is opened to public. Occupying an area of 1,195 square meters, the gate and the wall of the palace are made from white marble. In the central of the hall, there is a throne. Some burial chests are layed at the rear hall.
Zhao Tomb, situated in the southwest of Ding Tomb, is the mausoleum of the twelfth emperor, Zhu Zaihou and his three empresses. Covered an area of 35,000 square meters, survival constructions contains Lingen Gate, Lingen Hall, side halls and some other things. It is regarded as the best representation of a tomb complex.
Sacred Way (Shen Dao) is 7 kilometers long, the longest in China's royal tombs, from south to north across the center of the tombs area. It was thought to have leaded the emperors' souls to enter heaven. It was a path built as a part of the tomb for the Ming emperors, connecting the entrance with real tomb. It was built for the first tomb Changling - the tomb of Emperor Yongle at first. It is a long, straight path flanked by statues first of ancient government officials and then by animals. The Sacred Way ends at a pavilion sheltering a stone tablet. They formed one group, but each tomb is independent of the other. Each locates at the foot of a hill.
| Ticket Price: | On Season | Off Season |
| Dingling | RMB60 | RMB40 |
| Changling | RMB45 | RMB30 |
| Zhaoling | RMB30 | RMB20 |
| Shendao | RMB30 | RMB20 |
Opening Hour: 08:00-17:30
Tel: 010-60761424/60761388
Website: http://www.mingtombs.com/e_home/
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