Ming Tombs - Precious World Cultural Heritage Site

Overview of Ming Tombs

In 1421, Emperor Yongle (Zhu Di, 朱棣) moved the capital from Nanjing to Beijing and began to construct the imperial Tombs. The site was chosen with great care and the principle of Feng Shui (风水, a Chinese philosophical system of harmonizing everyone with the surrounding environment) was taken into consideration. Emperor Yongle built the first tomb for himself, and then the subsequent 12 emperors placed their last resting place in the same valley in succession. With time passed by, this cluster of tombs became a key Cultural Protection Unit and a 5A level Scenic Spot. In 2003, UNESCO listed Ming Tombs (明十三陵) in the World Cultural Heritages. In addition to longer history, Ming Tombs enjoy much larger area and the surface structures were also better-preserved.

Layout of Ming Tombs

In fact, Ming Tombs comprises thirteen tombs of emperor, seven tombs of concubines and one tomb of concubines, in covering more than 120 square kilometers. The other tombs are mostly within 8 kilometers away from Changling Tomb. In spite of having own unit and various structures, the tombs share a similar layout with a square yard at the front and a round yard at the back. Each tomb has a huge temple on the ground, and the main architectures were built in the axis, from front to back as follows: Memorial Tablet, Front Arch, Ling’en Gate, Ling’en Palace, Lingxing Gate, Ming Tower and Bao Pavilion etc.

Attractions in Ming Tombs

Nowadays, there are only three tombs are open to public and one tomb was excavated. The main attractions include:

Sacred Way (总神道)

CNY 30 (April 1 to October 31), CNY 20 (November 1 to March 31).

Changling Tomb (明长陵)

CNY 45 (April 1 to October 31), CNY 30 (November 1 to March 31).

Changling Tomb, the joint burial tomb of Emperor Yongle and Empress Qian, is located in the southern range of Tianshou Mountain. Emperor Yongle has ruled for 22 years, making great progress in political, economic, military, cultural and diplomatic fields. So he was highly estimated among the later generations. Among the thirteen tombs of Ming Dynasty, Changling Tomb is the largest and best-preserved one with longest history. As the first tomb in Ming Tombs, Changling Tomb also becomes the main attraction in this area.

In architecture design, it is square in the front and round in the rear. The whole architectural complex is divided into three parts and main buildings on the central axis still exist. Ling’en Palace in Changling Tomb is the most important building. It is so imposing and majestic that it can be on a par with Taihe Palace in Forbidden City. The skirt-roof is decorated in yellow glazed tiles. The material of the entire beam, column, purlin and other wooden construction are selected from the precious staleproof Nanmu. Except for the plafond, the insider palace is simple and unadorned without any over-colorful painting. There are no existing books about building written in Ming Dynasty or Yuan Dynasty, so the ancient architectures became important mater for historian to learn the style and features of architectures in the two dynasties. Ling’en Palace Tomb is regarded as an indispensable material for study on Ming’s architectures.

Dingling Tomb (明定陵)

CNY 60 (April 1 to October 31), CNY 40 (November 1 to March 31).

Zhaoling Tomb (明昭陵)

CNY 30 (April 1 to October 31), CNY 20 (November 1 to March 31).

Zhaoling Tomb is located in the east foot Dayu Mountain and here buried the twelfth emperor of Ming Dynasty and his three empresses. After the extinction of Ming Dynasty, Zhaoling Tomb has experienced two large destructions by the war and the heavily rain’s whipping. In Qing Dynasty, the government renovated some tombs including Zhaoling Tomb to ease the racial tensions. Analyzed the relic sites, the archaeologists judged that Ming Tower and Ling’en Palace had been restored during Qing Dynasty. From 1985 to 1960, Zhaoling Tomb had undergone anther renovation and maintenance by Beijing Cultural Relics Bureau. So Zhaoling turns to be the best representation of Ming Tomb Complex. In Ling’en Palace, you can see many offerings and detailed information of the emperor and empresses are provided.

Compared with other two, Zhaoling Tomb is more secluded with fewer visitors, so you can explore the ancient buildings in peaceful environment.

Location & Transportation of Ming Tombs

Travel to Ming Tombs with China Discovery - Top Recommended

Attractions around Ming Tombs

Juyongguan Great Wall (居庸关长城)

Taking a Bus

1. Take Bus No.345 from Deshengmen (德胜门) and get off at Shahe Station (沙河站), then transfer to Bus No.68 to reach the scenic spot directly;

2. Take bus No.883 from Deshengmen and get off at Nankou East Street Station (南口东街), then transfer to bus No. 68 to reach the scenic spot directly.

3. Take bus No. 870, 883 or 919 from Deshengmen, get off at Changping South Exit (昌平南口), and transfer to bus No. 879 or Chang 20 to reach Juyongguan Great Wall.

Tips: You can also reach the Ming Tombs by taking bus No. 879 from Juyongguan.

Taking a Subway

Get off at Longze Station (龙泽站)on Metro Line 13 and take bus No.68 to the scenic spot

Silver Mountain Pagoda Forest (银山塔林景区)

Silver Mountain Pagoda Forest is located in West Lake Village, Xingshou Town, Changping District, Beijing. Emperor Tai Zong (627-649) of the Tang Dynasty, esteemed Buddhism and dozens of noted monks came here successively. Years later after the Zen masters and other monks passed away, many pagodas were built to bury them and hence formed Pagoda Forest. Now there are in total of 7 well-preserved pagodas. Two of the pagodas date to the Liao Dynasty (907 AD - 1125 AD), and five date to Jin Dynasty (1115 AD - 1234 AD), presentinf an octagonal structure with exquisitely carved reliefs. The area is characteristic of boundless mountains, grand canyon, and luxuriantly lush pine, cypress, oak trees, which is especially magnificent in Autumn and Winter.

Taking a Bus

Take Chang 31 to Yinshan Station (银山路口).

Warm Tips of Ming Tombs

• Best seasons: Spring and autumn are the best seasons to enjoy the beautiful natural scenery with comfortable weather.
• Opening hours and admission fee for different attractions:

Attractions	Opening Hours	Admission Fee
The Sacred Way	8:00 - 17:30 (Apr. 1 to Oct. 31) 8:30 - 17:00 (Nov. 1 to Mar. 31)	CNY 30 (Apr. 1 to Oct. 31) CNY 20 (Nov. 1 to Mar. 31)
Changling Tomb	8:00 - 17:30 (Apr.1 to Oct. 31) 8:30 - 17:00 (Nov. 1 to Mar. 31)	CNY 45 (Apr. 1 to Oct. 31) CNY 30 (Nov. 1 to Mar. 31)
Dingling Tomb	8:00 - 17:30 (Apr. 1 to Oct. 31) 8:30 - 17:00 (Nov. 1 to Mar. 31)	CNY 60 (Apr. 1 to Oct. 31) CNY 40 (Nov. 1 to Mar. 31)
Zhaoling Tomb	8:00 - 17:30 (Apr. 1 to Oct. 31) 8:30 - 17:00 (Nov. 1 to Mar. 31)	CNY 30 (Apr. 1 to Oct. 31) CNY 20 (Nov. 1 to Ma. 31)
All (The Sacred Way + Changling Tomb + Dingling Tomb + Zhaoling Tomb)	8:00 - 17:30 (Apr. 1 to Oct. 31) 8:30 - 17:00 (Nov. 1 to Mar. 31)	CNY 165
Juyongguan Great Wall	8:30 - 17:00	CNY 45 (Apr. 1 to Oct. 31) CNY 40 (Nov. 1 to Mar. 31)
Silver Mountain Pagoda Forest	8:00 - 17:00	CNY 20 (Apr. 1 to Oct. 31) CNY 15 (Nov. 1 to Mar. 31)
Outdoor Trip (The Sacred Way + Juyongguan Great Wall + Silver Mountain Pagoda Forest)	8:30 - 17:00	CNY 72

Ticket fee is for reference only. For up-to-date information, please check the official website of Ming Tombs.

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