Beijing - Thirteen Ming Tombs

(Local Name: 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. 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,