Beijing - Thirteen Ming Tombs Ming Shisanling
The tomb site, measuring about 40sq.km/25 sq.mi lies in a valley of the Tianshoushan hill, almost 50km/31mi to the north of Beijing. It is the ''monumental graveyard'' of the Ming dynasty, where thirteen of the sixteen dynasty's emperors are interred, together with empresses and concubines. In accordance with an old tradition, the rulers had their tombs built during their lifetime.
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Must-see attractions nearby:
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Hence Emperor Yongle (reigned 1402-24) arranged for his tomb site to be decided upon and measured. When choosing the site soothsayers were brought in to arrange, in particular, protection from the wind and against the bad spirits coming from the north. The valley of Tianshoushan was ideal for this purpose, as it is not exposed on the west, north and east sides. Peasants living in the vicinity were forced to leave. This graveyard was used for over two hundred years (1409-1644). During this time the whole area was protected by a surrounding wall and imperial guards. All visitors including the emperor were only allowed to enter the area on foot. A large number of laborers maintained the site.
Each funeral site has, in addition to the actual burial hill, its own sacrificial hall (only preserved for the Changling tomb) and stele pavilion. Until now only the Changling and Dingling tombs have been restored for the public, but the other sites can also be visited.
Each funeral site has, in addition to the actual burial hill, its own sacrificial hall (only preserved for the Changling tomb) and stele pavilion. Until now only the Changling and Dingling tombs have been restored for the public, but the other sites can also be visited.
Related Attractions
Changling Tomb
North of the Shisanling Reservoir is the Changling Tomb, the tomb of the third Ming Emperor Yongle (reigned: 1402-24) and Empress Xu, who died in 1407. The tomb is surrounded by a magnificent wall.
A red gate with three arches leads to the first courtyard with a stele pavilion of the Qing dynasty (1644-1911) and the Gate of Mercy (Ling'en Men) In the second courtyard is the Hall of Mercy (Ling'en Dian) with 32 sandalwood columns rising from a three-tiered terrace. In the third courtyard is a stele pavilion standing on a square based tower. The stele inside bears the inscription ''Tomb of the Emperor Chengzu'' (the name given to Yongle after his death). In front of the tower is an altar on which marble ritual vessels have been placed.
A red gate with three arches leads to the first courtyard with a stele pavilion of the Qing dynasty (1644-1911) and the Gate of Mercy (Ling'en Men) In the second courtyard is the Hall of Mercy (Ling'en Dian) with 32 sandalwood columns rising from a three-tiered terrace. In the third courtyard is a stele pavilion standing on a square based tower. The stele inside bears the inscription ''Tomb of the Emperor Chengzu'' (the name given to Yongle after his death). In front of the tower is an altar on which marble ritual vessels have been placed.
Hours
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 |
| Close | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 |
Dingling Tomb
The Dingling tomb was erected for Emperor Wanli (reigned: 1572-1620) and his two wives - Xiaoduan (died 1620) and Xiaojing (died 1612), who was only laid to rest here after her son succeeded to the throne and raised her status to that of emperor's widow. The building of the tomb on the orders of Wanli was begun in 1584 and took six years to complete. The excavations, carried out in May 1956 disclosed an ''underground palace'' consisting entirely of white marble. The tomb, of very similar structure to the Changling tomb, is the only one to be opened so far.
In the first two courtyards there remain only the terraces on which halls once stood. In the diamond wall surrounding the tomb mound is a gate which leads underground to a 1195sq.m/1429sq.yd site complex consisting of five rooms. The middle room houses three marble thrones, several altars and a large blue and white porcelain vessel containing oil, which apparently serves as an ''eternal light''. The tomb-chamber is the last and largest of these three rooms; this is where the emperor's coffin is kept; the empress lies to the left of the emperor and his concubine to his right.
In the first two courtyards there remain only the terraces on which halls once stood. In the diamond wall surrounding the tomb mound is a gate which leads underground to a 1195sq.m/1429sq.yd site complex consisting of five rooms. The middle room houses three marble thrones, several altars and a large blue and white porcelain vessel containing oil, which apparently serves as an ''eternal light''. The tomb-chamber is the last and largest of these three rooms; this is where the emperor's coffin is kept; the empress lies to the left of the emperor and his concubine to his right.
Path of Souls
The Path of Souls (Shen Dao), leading to the imperial necropolis of Changling, can be reached through the marble Gate of Honor (Shi Paifang; erected 1540). Along the path the visitor comes upon the Great Red Gate (Dagong Den), the passage through which had doors to secure it, the middle door being only opened for the ceremonies of imperial burials. Next is the Pavilion of the Great Stele (Dabei Lou), with a 6.5m (21ft) high marble stele rising from the back of a statue of a tortoise (1426). Connected to this is the Avenue of Stone Statues (1435), lined with twelve pairs of animals and six pairs of humans.
At the end of the avenue is the Dragon and Phoenix Gate (Longfeng Men) with two arches. We then pass by the Shisanling Reservoir, (constructed in the 1950s).
At the end of the avenue is the Dragon and Phoenix Gate (Longfeng Men) with two arches. We then pass by the Shisanling Reservoir, (constructed in the 1950s).
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