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Ming Tombs (Thirteen Tombs of the Ming Dynasty) 十三陵

Address

Shisanling Town, Changping District, Beijing (foot of Tianshou Mountain, northern part of Changping District)

Ming Tombs (Ming Shisanling)

The Ming Tombs are located at the southern foot of Tianshou Mountain in Changping District, Beijing. They are the burial grounds of 13 emperors of the Ming Dynasty (1368–1644), built after the imperial capital was moved to Beijing. Construction began in 1409 and continued for more than 230 years. The site covers approximately 120 square kilometers and is one of the largest and best-preserved imperial mausoleum complexes in the world. Beginning in 1407, emperors were interred here in the following order: Changling (Emperor Chengzu, Zhu Di), Xianling (Emperor Renzong, Zhu Gaochi), Jingling (Emperor Xuanzong, Zhu Zhanji), Yuling (Emperor Yingzong, Zhu Qizhen), Maoling (Emperor Xianzong, Zhu Jianshen), Tailing (Emperor Xiaozong, Zhu Youtang), Kangling (Emperor Wuzong, Zhu Houzhao), Yongling (Emperor Shizong, Zhu Houcong), Zhaoling (Emperor Muzong, Zhu Zaiji), Dingling (Emperor Shenzong, Zhu Yijun), Qingling (Emperor Guangzong, Zhu Changluo), Deling (Emperor Xizong, Zhu Youjiao), and Siling (Emperor Sizong, Zhu Youjian). The officially recommended visiting order is: first walk the Sacred Way, then visit Changling and Dingling, and finally Zhaoling. The architectural layout of each tomb follows the same basic pattern — a "square front, round rear" design in which the front courtyard is square, representing the earthly palace, and the rear enclosure is circular, representing the vault of heaven.

Stone Memorial Archway (Shi Paifang)

The Stone Memorial Archway stands at the southernmost point of the Ming Tombs scenic area. It marks the start of the tour route and is the signature landmark of the site — the largest and best-preserved stone archway surviving in China. Built in the nineteenth year of the Jiajing reign (1540), it has a five-gateway, six-pillar, eleven-roof configuration. It spans approximately 29 meters wide and stands about 14 meters tall, carved entirely from white marble. The joints follow the mortise-and-tenon method of traditional timber-frame construction. The archway is decorated with carvings of dragons and cloud patterns, conveying the supreme authority of imperial power.

Great Red Gate (Da Hong Men)

The Great Red Gate stands roughly one kilometer north of the Stone Memorial Archway and serves as the main entrance to the Ming Tombs. Also built in 1540, it has a single-eave hip roof, red walls, and three arched openings at the base. The central opening was reserved exclusively for the passage of imperial coffins and spirit tablets; the left opening was for the emperor when visiting the tombs; and the right opening was for court officials. Dismounting steles originally flanked the gate on both sides, inscribed with the words "All officials and attendants must dismount here" — a reminder that even the most senior ministers had to proceed on foot, underscoring the solemnity of the imperial mausoleum.

Stele Pavilion (Shengong Shengde Bei Ting)

The Stele Pavilion stands north of the Great Red Gate at the entrance to the stone statue avenue. Construction began in the tenth year of the Xuande reign (1435). The pavilion stands approximately 25 meters tall and has a double-eave hip-and-gable roof with arched openings on all four sides. Inside stands the "Stele of the Divine Merits and Sacred Virtues of the Great Ming Changling." The stele is approximately 7.9 meters tall. Its text — more than 3,000 characters — was composed by Emperor Renzong, Zhu Gaochi, and written by the celebrated calligrapher Cheng Nanyun. It records Emperor Chengzu Zhu Di's campaign during the Jingnan Uprising and his achievements in founding the capital and relocating it to Beijing, making it an important historical source for the early Ming period. It is also the only imperial tomb stele in the Ming Tombs complex that actually bears a carved "divine merits and sacred virtues" inscription — all later tombs used blank steles instead. Engraved on the back and sides of the stele are the Qianlong Emperor's "Thirty Verses Lamenting the Ming Tombs" and the Jiaqing Emperor's "Eight Verses on the Ming Tombs," reflecting the Qing dynasty's attitude toward Ming history. The stele base takes the form of a bixi — one of the legendary nine sons of the dragon, said to bear great weight — symbolizing the eternal endurance of imperial achievements. At each of the four corners of the pavilion stands a white marble decorative column; each column is carved with forty-one dragons.

Sacred Way (Shen Lu)

The Sacred Way is the central axis and main processional road of the Ming Tombs, linking all the individual mausoleums. It stretches 7.3 kilometers in total, construction began in the early Zhengtong reign (1436) and was completed in 1540. Along its length stand the Stone Memorial Archway, the Great Red Gate, the Stele Pavilion, the stone statues, and the Lingxing Gate. Several stone arch bridges also cross the Sacred Way: near the Great Red Gate in the south is the South Five-Arch Bridge (five arches, symbolizing "five blessings at the door"); in the middle section are the Seven-Arch Bridge (seven arches, symbolizing the "Seven-Jewel Lotus Pool" of Buddhist tradition) and another Five-Arch Bridge; and near the Lingxing Gate and Changling in the north is the North Five-Arch Bridge. The bridge decks are paved with stone slabs, and the balustrades on both sides are finely carved. All were required routes for imperial coffin processions and sacrificial ceremonies.

Stone Pillars (Shi Wangzhu)

The stone pillars stand at the entrance to the Sacred Way, just north of the Stone Memorial Archway, and mark the beginning of the processional road. The pair of pillars is topped with crouching beasts; the shafts are carved with coiling-dragon designs, and the bases are elaborately carved as well. The stone pillars signal the formal start of the imperial sacred road and distinguish it from ordinary thoroughfares. Their craftsmanship makes them important physical examples for the study of Ming-dynasty stone-carving art.

Stone Statues (Shi Xiang Sheng)

The stone statues line both sides of the Sacred Way north of the Stele Pavilion and form an integral part of the processional avenue. There are 18 pairs (36 figures) in total: 1 pair of stone pillars, 12 pairs of stone animals (lions, xiezhi, camels, elephants, qilin, and horses — two pairs of each, one pair standing and one pair kneeling), and 6 pairs of stone figures (military generals, civil officials, and meritorious officials — two pairs of each). The sequence is strictly ordered: stone pillars — lions — xiezhi — camels — elephants — qilin — horses — military generals — civil officials — meritorious officials, reflecting the rigid hierarchical system of the Ming dynasty. Each figure carries meaning: the lion represents imperial authority; the xiezhi, a mythical beast said to distinguish right from wrong, represents judicial justice; the qilin represents a peaceful and prosperous age; the horse represents military strength; the human figures represent the civil and military attendants who served the emperor in life. Notably, every statue was carved from a single block of stone. The workmanship is vivid and refined, making them precious surviving examples for the study of Ming-dynasty stone-carving art.

Lingxing Gate (Dragon and Phoenix Gate)

The Lingxing Gate, also known as the Dragon and Phoenix Gate, stands at the northern end of the Sacred Way near the entrance to Changling. It marks the end of the Sacred Way and serves as the gateway to the mausoleum precincts. Built during the Ming dynasty, it is a three-opening, six-pillar flaming-archway structure. The pillar tops are carved with cloud-gazing beasts and cloud boards; the gate headers are decorated with flaming pearl ornaments, symbolizing the "gate of heaven." During the Ming dynasty the gate was finished with yellow-and-green glazed tiles; in the Qing dynasty it was changed to red walls with grey tiles. The architectural form derives from the ancient "crow's-head gate" and was later renamed the Lingxing Gate, becoming a gateway symbolic of royal dignity. In the traditional view, the Lingxing Gate marked the boundary between the world of the living and the realm of the dead: it was through this gate that the souls of emperors and empresses ascended to heaven. Beyond the gate lie the mausoleum precincts of Changling and the other imperial tombs.

Changling Tomb

Changling stands north of the Lingxing Gate. It is the joint burial site of Emperor Chengzu Zhu Di — the Yongle Emperor, who moved the capital to Beijing and built the Forbidden City — and his Empress Xu. Construction began in the seventh year of the Yongle reign (1409) and was completed four years later. The tomb covers approximately 120,000 square meters, making it the largest and best-preserved of the thirteen mausoleums and the first of the series. It is also the only tomb in the complex whose underground palace has never been excavated. The mausoleum precinct is organized in three successive courtyards: the first holds the tomb gate; the second holds the Ling'en Gate and Ling'en Hall; the third holds the Inner Red Gate, the Soul Tower, and the Treasure Enclosure. The Ling'en Hall is the principal building: nine bays wide and five bays deep, with a double-eave hip roof. Most remarkable are the sixty golden-thread nanmu timber columns inside — each approximately 1 meter in diameter and 14 meters tall — which have survived intact for six hundred years and still carry a faint fragrance. This is the best-preserved nanmu timber hall of the Ming dynasty. The hall also displays replicas of artifacts excavated from Dingling, including a gold crown and phoenix crowns.

Ming Tombs Museum

The Ming Tombs Museum is located within the Changling scenic area and serves as the major cultural exhibition venue for the entire complex. It houses several themed galleries, including "Selected Artifacts Excavated from Dingling," "Historical Records of Ming Dynasty Emperors," and "Ming-Dynasty Stone-Carving Art." The Dingling exhibition displays replicas of more than 3,000 artifacts recovered from that tomb, including the gold-thread winged-crown, empress phoenix crowns, dragon robes, and armor. The museum also presents themed exhibitions on "The Ming Dynasty's Relocation of the Capital to Beijing," "The Ming Imperial Mausoleum System," and "Ming-Dynasty Clothing Culture," offering a comprehensive introduction to Ming history, culture, and the architecture of the Thirteen Tombs.

Dingling Tomb

Dingling lies to the west of Changling. It is the joint burial site of Emperor Shenzong Zhu Yijun — the Wanli Emperor, who reigned for 48 years — along with his two empresses, Xiaoduan and Xiaojing. It is the only tomb in the Ming Tombs complex whose underground palace has been excavated and opened to the public. Construction began in the twelfth year of the Wanli reign (1584) and took six years to complete, at a cost of approximately eight million taels of silver, making it one of the grandest and most lavish of all the tombs. The underground palace descends 27 meters below ground — the equivalent of a five- or six-story building — and is composed of front, central, and rear chambers plus left and right side chambers, with a total floor area of approximately 1,195 square meters. In 1957, excavation of the underground palace yielded approximately 3,000 artifacts, including gold objects, jade ware, silk textiles, and lacquerware. The most celebrated finds are several phoenix crowns: Empress Xiaoduan's Nine-Dragon Nine-Phoenix Crown and Twelve-Dragon Nine-Phoenix Crown, and Empress Xiaojing's Three-Dragon Two-Phoenix Crown and Six-Dragon Three-Phoenix Crown. The original crowns are now held in the National Museum of China and the Palace Museum; only replicas are displayed at Dingling. The underground palace also preserves spirit thrones, five ritual vessels, an eternal lamp, and other sacrificial furnishings, while the stone structural work, drainage system, and ventilation facilities throughout demonstrate the exceptional engineering capabilities of the Ming dynasty.

Zhaoling Tomb

Zhaoling lies to the east of Changling. It is the joint burial site of Emperor Muzong Zhu Zaiji — the Longqing Emperor — and his three empresses. Construction began in the seventeenth year of the Jiajing reign (1538), and the site covers approximately 34,600 square meters. Zhaoling's defining distinction is that its above-ground architecture is the best-preserved of all the Ming Tombs: between 1987 and 1992 it underwent a full restoration that brought a complete Ming imperial mausoleum back to its original appearance. The mausoleum layout comprises a sacred-way zone, a first courtyard, and a second courtyard; the second courtyard contains the Soul Tower and the Treasure Enclosure. Zhaoling also houses an exhibition on "Upright Officials of the Ming Dynasty."

Zhaoling — Ling'en Gate

The Ling'en Gate is the entrance to Zhaoling's sacrificial precinct. It was first built in the seventeenth year of the Jiajing reign (1538) and rebuilt between 1987 and 1990 on its original Ming-dynasty foundations. It has a single-eave hip-and-gable roof, is three bays wide and two bays deep, and carries a plaque inscribed "Ling'en Gate" inside. The gate's stone platform is an original Ming-dynasty structure and an important physical reference for the study of Ming architectural foundations.

Zhaoling — Ling'en Hall

The Ling'en Hall is Zhaoling's principal building. First built in 1538 and rebuilt between 1987 and 1990 on its original foundations, it has a double-eave hip roof and is five bays wide and five bays deep. It is the only Ling'en Hall in the Ming Tombs that has been restored with a Ming-dynasty sacrificial scene. Inside are displayed percussion instruments, chime bells, zithers, and other instruments used in Ming sacrificial rites, along with ritual objects and a reconstructed ceremonial setting — making it an important physical resource for the study of Ming sacrificial culture.

Zhaoling — Soul Tower (Fangcheng Minglou)

The Soul Tower at Zhaoling is the square tower structure in front of the Treasure Enclosure, topped with a pavilion that houses the stele inscribed with the name "Zhaoling." The tower was first built in 1538 and rebuilt between 1987 and 1990; it has a double-eave hip-and-gable roof and is four bays wide and four bays deep. The bracket-set design is unusual: both the upper and lower eaves use single-arm single-cantilever five-step bracket sets, which differs from the single-arm double-cantilever seven-step bracket sets seen on other Ming mausoleum towers. This was an alteration made during Qing-dynasty Qianlong-era repairs; during the same repairs, a barrel-vault stone ceiling was added inside, making the tower a significant resource for studying how architectural styles evolved between the Ming and Qing dynasties.

Zhaoling — Treasure City, "Dumb Yard," and Crescent City (Baocheng, Yaba Yuan, Yueya Cheng)

The Treasure City at Zhaoling is the core structure of the mausoleum, embodying the concept of "round heaven and square earth": the circular Treasure City walls enclose a central burial mound symbolizing the dome of heaven, while the two rectangular forecourts represent the earthly palace. The burial mound at Zhaoling is packed exceptionally full — it rises almost level with the top of the Treasure City walls. At its center, a column-shaped tamped-earth burial mound rises slightly narrower at the top and wider at the base; a curved brick wall in front of the mound connects to the inner walls of the Treasure City on both sides, forming a sealed enclosure known as the "Dumb Yard." Zhaoling is the first Ming imperial tomb to have developed a fully realized Dumb Yard system. In front of the Treasure City is also a crescent-shaped drainage enclosure — the "Crescent City." Inside this enclosure the ground slopes upward from front to rear while the burial mound slopes downward from center to edge; brick-lined channels collect rainwater and funnel it into two square wells on each side, each covered by a stone grate pierced with drainage holes. Underground conduits beneath the wells lead to drainage openings on both sides of the Dumb Yard. After heavy rain, water drains away efficiently through this system, keeping the soil above the underground palace dry — a striking example of Ming-dynasty drainage engineering.

Zhaoling — Wordless Stele (Shengong Shengde Bei)

The stele in front of Zhaoling stands approximately 3 meters tall, supported by a dragon-head tortoise-base pedestal. Its face is blank — not a single character is carved on it. The Jiajing Emperor ordered this blank stele erected as a gesture of supreme reverence for the founding Emperor Chengzu; from that point on, all subsequent tombs followed the same practice. The stone platform and stele are original Ming-dynasty structures; a surrounding wall added during Qing Qianlong-era repairs was removed during the 1987–1990 restoration to return the pavilion to its Ming-dynasty appearance. Inside the pavilion stands a stone tortoise, about which a local saying goes: "Rub the tortoise's back and you'll never have worries; rub the tortoise's tail and you'll never fall ill."

Jingling Tomb

Jingling stands at the eastern end of the Ming Tombs scenic area. It is the joint burial site of Emperor Xuanzong Zhu Zhanji — the Xuande Emperor — and Empress Sun. Construction began in the tenth year of the Xuande reign (1435), and the site covers approximately 25,000 square meters. The Xuande Emperor presided over the celebrated "Benevolent and Xuande Prosperity" era of the Ming dynasty, and Jingling accordingly features a themed exhibition on "The Benevolent and Xuande Period." Two aspects of the tomb are particularly notable: first, the Treasure City was shaped to follow the natural terrain, creating a distinctive form that is square at the front and round at the rear, with the two forecourts and the Treasure City blending seamlessly into one composition; second, the carved spirit-road stone relief in front of the Ling'en Hall — especially the pattern of two dragons playing with a pearl — is more refined and spectacular than those at any of the other twelve tombs. Jingling currently operates on a reservation system and requires visitors to join a guided tour.

Kangling Tomb

Kangling sits in the central area of the Ming Tombs scenic zone. It is the tomb of Emperor Wuzong Zhu Houzhao — the Zhengde Emperor — and construction began in the fourteenth year of the Zhengde reign (1519). The site covers approximately 34,600 square meters. The architectural layout includes a stele pavilion, a Soul Tower, and a Treasure Enclosure with burial mound. At the entrance to the underground palace is a crescent-shaped Dumb Yard — the system first introduced at Zhaoling — developed here a step further. Kangling is the only tomb in the complex to host a Spring Pancake Banquet: every spring, the "Kangling Spring Pancake Banquet" event offers visitors a taste of Ming imperial court cuisine. An exhibition on "Ming-Dynasty Clothing Culture" is also on display inside. Kangling currently operates on a reservation system.

Yongling Tomb

Yongling stands at the western end of the scenic area. It is the tomb of Emperor Shizong Zhu Houcong — the Jiajing Emperor — and construction began in the twenty-third year of the Jiajing reign (1544). The site covers approximately 180,000 square meters, one of the largest footprints in the entire complex. Its stele pavilion has a double-eave hip-and-gable roof with arched openings on all four sides, and houses a blank stele inside. Yongling's most remarkable feature is its Treasure City walls: both the walls and the battlements are built entirely from large blocks of banded-pattern stone — also known as "literary stone" or "bamboo-leaf agate stone" — which is at once extraordinarily beautiful and exceptionally durable. These walls represent the finest example of Treasure City masonry craft among all the Ming Tombs. An exhibition on "Ming-Dynasty Sacrificial Culture" is also on display inside. Yongling currently operates on a reservation system.

Siling Tomb

Siling stands at the eastern end of the scenic area. It is the tomb of the last emperor of the Ming dynasty, Emperor Sizong Zhu Youjian, the Chongzhen Emperor. It was built in the first year of the Qing Shunzhi reign (1644), covers approximately 25,000 square meters, and is the only tomb in the Ming Tombs complex built by a Qing emperor for a Ming emperor. It is also the smallest and most austere of the thirteen imperial mausoleums. The mausoleum precinct includes a stele pavilion, a Soul Tower, and a Treasure Enclosure with burial mound, all arranged with understated simplicity that stands in sharp contrast to the grandeur of the other Ming tombs. This contrast reflects the early Qing dynasty's respect for Ming culture and its policy of accommodating the preceding dynasty, making Siling an important witness to the cultural intermingling of the Ming and Qing periods. Siling currently operates on a reservation system.

Common Architectural Elements — Soul Tower, Treasure Enclosure, and Stone Five-Offering Set

The Soul Tower (Fangcheng Minglou) found at each of the Ming Tombs is an architectural form unique to Ming imperial mausoleums, first introduced at the Ming Xiaoling Tomb, which greatly enhanced the imposing character of the "rear burial" section of the complex. The lower part is a square walled platform (the fangcheng); the upper part is a pavilion-style structure with a rectangular floor plan approximately 40 meters wide and 18 meters deep. Inside the pavilion stands a stele inscribed with the temple name and posthumous title of the entombed emperor and empress — for example, "Tomb of Emperor Chengzu the Cultured" at Changling, and "Tomb of Emperor Shenzong the Manifest" at Dingling. The walls of the upper pavilion rise from within the square platform, fusing the two elements into a single unified structure. Within the Treasure Enclosure, the circular burial mound rises high at the center to symbolize the heavenly vault; the underground palace lies directly below. The mound itself was tamped from a mixture of yellow earth, lime, fine sand, brown sugar, egg white, and glutinous rice, producing an extremely firm and durable material. In front of the Soul Tower at each tomb stands a Stone Five-Offering Set: a sumeru-style stone altar table together with five stone ritual vessels glazed in yellow — one incense burner, two candlesticks, and two flower vases. This arrangement first appeared at Changling and was subsequently adopted as the standard for all the tombs. Originally borrowed from Buddhist offerings practice, it symbolizes reverence and sacrifice toward the entombed emperor and empress.

Underground Palace (Di Gong)

Each of the thirteen Ming Tombs contains an underground palace — the subterranean burial chamber and the innermost core of the mausoleum. At present, only the underground palace of Dingling has been excavated and opened to visitors; the underground palaces of all other tombs remain unexcavated and sealed. The underground palace is generally located within the Treasure Enclosure, descending 20 to 30 meters below ground. It consists of front, central, and rear chambers plus left and right side chambers, with a total floor area of approximately 1,000 to 1,200 square meters. Inside are spirit thrones, five ritual vessels, an eternal lamp, and other sacrificial furnishings, as well as the positions where the emperor's and empress's coffins were placed.

Practical info Opening hours · Allow · Ticket · Getting there

Opening hours: April 1-October 31: 08:00-17:30 (last entry at 17:00)
November 1-March 31 next year: 08:30-17:00 (last entry at 16:30)
Note: Visiting the Ming Tombs requires at least 4-5 hours (if visiting all open tombs and the Sacred Way); it is recommended to go in the morning; the temperature inside Dingling Underground Palace is relatively low (about 15-18°C), so even if visiting in summer, bringing a thin jacket is recommended
Allow: Note: Visiting the Ming Tombs requires at least 4-5 hours (if visiting all open tombs and the Sacred Way); it is recommended to go in the morning; the temperature inside Dingling Underground Palace is relatively low (about 15-18°C), so even if visiting in summer, bringing a thin jacket is recommended
Ticket: Changing (Tomb of Chengzu Zhu Di): 45 RMB/person
Dingling (Tomb of Shenzong Zhu Yijun): 60 RMB/person
Zhaoling (Tomb of Muzong Zhu Zaichen): 30 RMB/person
Sacred Way: 30 RMB/person
Combo Ticket: Changing + Dingling + Zhaoling + Sacred Way, about 110 RMB/person (relatively cost-effective, recommended)
Discounted Tickets: Students, seniors (over 60), military personnel, etc. can enjoy half-price or free admission with valid ID
Note: It is recommended to purchase tickets in advance on the official website or travel platforms for discounts and to avoid on-site queuing; the Ming Tombs scenic area covers a large area, and the distances between tombs are far; it is recommended to allow a full day for visiting and take internal transportation within the scenic area (electric shuttle bus or tourist bus)
Getting there: Self-driving:
Route: Depart from Beijing urban area, drive along the Beijing-Tibet Expressway (G6) to the Changping Xiguan Roundabout Exit, drive along Beijing-Yinchuan Road (G110) to the Ming Tombs scenic area sign, follow signs to each tomb, about 1-1.5 hours' drive
Parking: Each tomb has a parking lot; parking fee is about 10-20 RMB/vehicle (small car)

Public Transportation:
The most common options for traveling from Beijing urban area to the Ming Tombs are:

1. Take subway or bus from Beijing urban area to Deshengmen, transfer to "Changping Route 33" bus to Dingling Road Intersection stop, walk or transfer to the scenic area electric shuttle bus to each tomb (about 1.5-2 hours' drive, more troublesome)
2. Sign up for a Ming Tombs one-day tour group in Beijing urban area (about 150-250 RMB/person, including round-trip transportation, admission, tour guide)
3. Take urban rail transit to Changping Xishankou Station (Subway Changping Line), then transfer to bus or taxi to the Ming Tombs scenic area (more troublesome, not recommended)
Taxi/Ride-hailing: Taking a taxi from Beijing urban area to the Ming Tombs costs about 200-300 RMB one-way (excluding return trip), suitable for visitors traveling in groups
Note: The Ming Tombs are far from Beijing urban area and inconvenient for transportation; it is strongly recommended to plan round-trip transportation in advance; if you choose self-driving, you can arrange visiting the Ming Tombs and Badaling Great Wall or Juyongguan Great Wall in Yanqing on the same day (the two places are about 40 kilometers apart)

Inside Ming Tombs (Thirteen Tombs of the Ming Dynasty)

10 stops, in walking order — read top to bottom, no clicking needed.

At a glance · tap a photo to jump

1 Stone Archway and Great Red Gate

2 Stele Pavilion of Divine Merit and Sacred Way

3 Stone Statues and Dragon and Phoenix Gate

4 Changling Tomb and Museum

5 Dingling Tomb and Underground Palace

Stone Archway and Great Red Gate of 10

Stone Archway and Great Red Gate

石牌坊与大红门

The Stone Archway, built in 1540 during the Jiajing reign, is a five-bay, six-pillar, eleven-roof stone structure made entirely of white marble. Measuring 28.86 meters wide and 14 meters high, it is the largest and best-preserved stone archway in China. Its beams are exquisitely carved with dragons, phoenixes, lions, and other auspicious motifs. The Great Red Gate, the main entrance to the mausoleum area, was built during the Yongle reign. It features a single-eave hipped roof with red walls and yellow tiles, connecting Mount Hu and Mount Long on either side to form a natural barrier. It is the first portal into the tomb complex and holds exceptional architectural and historical significance.

On-site narration · read it where you stand

Welcome, everyone, to the Ming Tombs — a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Today we'll follow the officially recommended route: first walk the Sacred Way past the Stone Memorial Archway, the Great Red Gate, the Stele Pavilion, the stone statues, and the Lingxing Gate; then visit Changling, the largest of the tombs, followed by Dingling, the only one with an open underground palace; and finally Zhaoling, the tomb with the best-preserved above-ground architecture.

Let's start with a quick overview of this burial complex. It sits at the southern foot of Tianshou Mountain in Changping District, Beijing, and serves as the final resting place of 13 Ming emperors — the emperors who reigned after the capital was moved to Beijing. Construction began in 1409 and continued for more than 230 years, producing a complex that covers roughly 120 square kilometers and ranks as one of the largest and best-preserved imperial mausoleum clusters in the world. From Yongle's Changling all the way to the last emperor Chongzhen's Siling, almost every emperor of the Ming dynasty's middle and later periods is buried here in one place — which is exactly why it's called the "Thirteen Tombs."

The towering white-marble archway in front of us is the starting point of the entire site, and the largest, best-preserved stone archway surviving in China. It was built in 1540, the nineteenth year of the Jiajing reign, in a five-gateway, six-pillar, eleven-roof configuration — roughly 29 meters across and 14 meters tall, carved entirely from white marble. What's particularly ingenious is that it was assembled using mortise-and-tenon joinery, just like a timber-frame building. Dragon and cloud motifs cover the surfaces, creating a structure of tremendous grandeur.

Walk about a kilometer north along the Sacred Way and you reach the Great Red Gate — the main entrance and gateway to the entire complex. Also built in 1540, it has a single-eave hip roof and red walls, with three arched openings at the base. Those three openings were not interchangeable: the central one was reserved solely for the passage of imperial coffins and spirit tablets; the left was for the emperor's use when visiting the tombs; and the right was for court officials. Dismounting steles once flanked the gate on both sides, inscribed with "All officials and attendants must dismount here" — no matter how senior your rank, you had to get off your horse and continue on foot. That tells you something about the gravity of this place. Past the Great Red Gate, we head toward the tallest structure on the Sacred Way: the Stele Pavilion.

Stele Pavilion of Divine Merit and Sacred Way

神功圣德碑亭与神路

The Stele Pavilion of Divine Merit stands approximately one kilometer north of the Great Red Gate. Built in 1435 during the Xuande reign, it is a square structure with a double-eave gabled roof. Inside stands a giant stone stele 7.91 meters tall, with a dragon-carved top and an inscription composed by Emperor Renzong (Zhu Gaozhi) praising the military and civil achievements of Emperor Yongle (Zhu Di). Four marble ornamental columns, each about 10 meters tall and carved with coiled dragons and clouds, flank the pavilion's corners. The Sacred Way extends southward for about seven kilometers, serving as the central processional road to all tombs. Lined with pines and cypresses and enclosed by stone walls, it forms the central axis of the Ming Tombs layout.

On-site narration · read it where you stand

Past the Great Red Gate, the imposing square pavilion ahead of us is the Stele Pavilion. It was first built in 1435, the tenth year of the Xuande reign, stands approximately 25 meters tall, and has a double-eave hip-and-gable roof with an arched opening on each of its four sides. At the center of the pavilion stands a massive stele — the "Stele of the Divine Merits and Sacred Virtues of the Great Ming Changling." The stele is approximately 7.9 meters tall; its text, more than 3,000 characters in all, was composed by Emperor Renzong, Zhu Gaochi, and written by the celebrated calligrapher Cheng Nanyun. It records Emperor Chengzu Zhu Di's campaign during the Jingnan Uprising and his achievements in founding the capital and moving it to Beijing, making it a vital historical source for the early Ming period. What sets this stele apart is that it is the only stele in the entire Ming Tombs complex that actually bears a "divine merits and sacred virtues" inscription — every other tomb erected a blank stele instead. Engraved on the back and sides are the Qing Qianlong Emperor's "Thirty Verses Lamenting the Ming Tombs" and the Jiaqing Emperor's "Eight Verses on the Ming Tombs." Take a look at the base: it is carved in the form of a bixi — one of the dragon's legendary nine sons, famed for its strength and ability to carry great weight — symbolizing the eternal endurance of imperial achievements. At each of the four corners of the pavilion stands a white marble decorative column carved with forty-one dragons apiece.

Heading north from the pavilion, we reach the central axis running through the entire complex — the Sacred Way. It stretches 7.3 kilometers, linking all the individual mausoleums, and was understood as the path along which the emperor's soul ascended to heaven. Construction began in 1436 and was completed in 1540. Along its length it connects the Stone Memorial Archway, the Great Red Gate, the Stele Pavilion, the stone statues, and the Lingxing Gate. Several stone arch bridges also span the Sacred Way: near the Great Red Gate in the south is the South Five-Arch Bridge, whose five arches symbolize "five blessings at the door"; in the middle section stand the Seven-Arch Bridge — whose seven arches represent the "Seven-Jewel Lotus Pool" of Buddhist tradition — and another Five-Arch Bridge; and near Changling in the north is the North Five-Arch Bridge. All of these bridges were required routes for imperial coffin processions and sacrificial ceremonies. At the entrance to the Sacred Way, just north of the Stone Memorial Archway, stands a pair of stone pillars. Each is topped with a crouching beast and carved with coiling-dragon designs along the shaft, marking the formal beginning of the imperial processional road. Now let's move on to the most striking feature of the Sacred Way — the stone statues.

Stone Statues and Dragon and Phoenix Gate

石像生群与棂星门

The Stone Statues flank both sides of the Sacred Way, built between the Xuande and Zhengtong reigns. There are 36 figures in total: 24 stone animals (lions, xiezhi, camels, elephants, qilin, and horses, four of each, in alternating standing and kneeling postures) and 12 human figures (four nobles, four civil officials, and four military generals). Each statue is carved from a single massive stone block, with the tallest exceeding three meters. They represent the pinnacle of Ming imperial stone carving. The Dragon and Phoenix Gate (Lingxing Gate), also called the "Flame Archway," stands at the northern end of the statue group. It features three gates with six pillars topped by stone beasts and flame-shaped ornaments, symbolizing the passage of imperial souls to heaven.

On-site narration · read it where you stand

We've now reached the most spectacular section of the Sacred Way — the avenue of stone statues. Look to both sides of the road: rows of carved stone humans and beasts stand sentinel, solemn and still.

There are 18 pairs — 36 figures in all: 1 pair of stone pillars, 12 pairs of stone animals, and 6 pairs of stone human figures. Six types of animals are represented: lions, xiezhi, camels, elephants, qilin, and horses — two pairs of each, one pair standing and one pair kneeling. Three types of human figures appear: military generals, civil officials, and meritorious officials — two pairs of each. Their arrangement follows a strict sequence: stone pillars — lions — xiezhi — camels — elephants — qilin — horses — military generals — civil officials — meritorious officials. This ordering reflects the Ming dynasty's rigidly hierarchical social structure. Each figure carries its own significance: the lion symbolizes imperial authority; the xiezhi, a mythical creature said to distinguish right from wrong, represents judicial justice; the qilin represents a peaceful and prosperous era; the horse represents military might; and the human figures represent the civil and military attendants who served the emperor in life. Most remarkable of all is that every one of these statues was carved from a single block of stone — vividly detailed, masterfully executed, and invaluable as physical evidence for the study of Ming-dynasty stone-carving art.

At the northern end of the Sacred Way stands the Lingxing Gate, also known as the Dragon and Phoenix Gate. It marks the end of the Sacred Way and serves as the gateway to the mausoleum precincts. A three-opening, six-pillar flaming-archway structure: the pillar tops are carved with cloud-gazing beasts and cloud boards, and the gate headers are decorated with flaming pearl ornaments symbolizing the "gate of heaven." During the Ming dynasty it was finished with yellow-and-green glazed tiles; in the Qing dynasty it was changed to red walls with grey tiles. In the traditional view, the Lingxing Gate marked the boundary between the world of the living and the realm of the dead — the point at which the souls of emperors and empresses passed into heaven. Beyond the gate lie the mausoleum precincts of Changling and the other imperial tombs. Through the Lingxing Gate, we head to the first and greatest of the thirteen tombs — Changling.

Changling Tomb and Museum

长陵与博物馆

Changling is the largest, earliest, and best-preserved tomb among the Ming Tombs. Construction began in 1409 during the Yongle reign, housing Emperor Zhu Di (Yongle) and Empress Xu. The complex follows a rectangular-front-and-round-rear layout. The main hall, the Hall of Eminent Favor (Ling'en Dian), sits on a three-tiered white marble base with a double-eave hipped roof. It spans nine bays wide and five bays deep, covering 1,956 square meters. Thirty-two golden-thread nanmu pillars stand inside, with the four central columns measuring 1.17 meters in diameter and 14.3 meters in height—the largest existing nanmu pillars in China, still fragrant after over five centuries. The Changling Museum, housed within the hall, displays excavated artifacts, imperial garments, and architectural models.

On-site narration · read it where you stand

We've arrived at Changling — the first and largest of the Thirteen Tombs, and the best-preserved. It is the joint burial site of Emperor Chengzu Zhu Di — the Yongle Emperor, who moved the capital to Beijing and built the Forbidden City — and his Empress Xu. Construction began in 1409, the seventh year of the Yongle reign, and was completed four years later. The site covers approximately 120,000 square meters. One detail worth noting: the underground palace of Changling has never been excavated — it is the only one in the entire complex that remains sealed.

The mausoleum precinct is arranged in three successive courtyards: the first holds the tomb gate; the second holds the Ling'en Gate and Ling'en Hall; the third holds the Inner Red Gate, the Soul Tower, and the Treasure Enclosure. The highlight of the whole site is the Ling'en Hall in the second courtyard. Nine bays wide and five bays deep, with a double-eave hip roof — and the truly breathtaking feature is the sixty golden-thread nanmu timber columns inside, each roughly 1 meter in diameter and 14 meters tall. Six centuries have passed, yet they survive intact, and you can still catch a faint fragrance if you stand close. This is the best-preserved nanmu timber hall of the Ming dynasty. Inside the hall, replicas of artifacts excavated from Dingling are also on display, including a gold crown and phoenix crowns.

Within the Changling scenic area you'll also find the Ming Tombs Museum — well worth a visit. The museum houses several themed galleries: "Selected Artifacts Excavated from Dingling," "Historical Records of Ming Dynasty Emperors," and "Ming-Dynasty Stone-Carving Art," among others. The Dingling exhibition displays replicas of more than 3,000 artifacts from that tomb, including the gold-thread winged crown, empress phoenix crowns, dragon robes, and armor. There are also themed exhibitions on "The Ming Dynasty's Relocation of the Capital to Beijing," "The Ming Imperial Mausoleum System," and "Ming-Dynasty Clothing Culture" — all of which will help you place Changling and the Thirteen Tombs in their full historical context. After Changling, we head to the only tomb in the complex with an open underground palace: Dingling.

Dingling Tomb and Underground Palace

定陵与地宫

Dingling is the joint burial tomb of Emperor Zhu Yijun (Wanli) and his two empresses, constructed between 1584 and 1590. It is the only archaeologically excavated tomb among the Ming Tombs. The underground palace was excavated between 1956 and 1958. Located 27 meters below ground, it consists of five stone chambers—front, middle, rear, left, and right—covering 1,195 square meters. The entire structure is built of stone arches without beams or columns, showcasing extraordinary craftsmanship. The rear chamber contains a white marble bed holding three vermillion-lacquered coffins and 26 wooden chests, yielding nearly 3,000 artifacts including the gold crown, phoenix crowns, dragon robes, and silk textiles of national-treasure status. The underground palace maintains a constant temperature of 18–20°C year-round.

On-site narration · read it where you stand

We've now reached Dingling — to the west of Changling, and the only tomb in the entire Ming Tombs complex whose underground palace has been excavated and opened to the public. Dingling is the joint burial site of Emperor Shenzong Zhu Yijun — the Wanli Emperor, who reigned for 48 years — along with his two empresses, Xiaoduan and Xiaojing. Construction began in 1584, the twelfth year of the Wanli reign, took six years to complete, and cost approximately eight million taels of silver — making it one of the grandest and most lavish tombs in the entire complex.

The most awe-inspiring thing about Dingling is the underground palace beneath your feet. It descends 27 meters below ground — the equivalent of a five- or six-story building — and consists of front, central, and rear chambers plus left and right side chambers, with a total floor area of approximately 1,195 square meters. In 1957, excavation of the underground palace yielded approximately 3,000 artifacts — gold objects, jade ware, silk textiles, lacquerware, and more. The most celebrated finds are several phoenix crowns: Empress Xiaoduan's Nine-Dragon Nine-Phoenix Crown and Twelve-Dragon Nine-Phoenix Crown, and Empress Xiaojing's Three-Dragon Two-Phoenix Crown and Six-Dragon Three-Phoenix Crown. A note for visitors: the original crowns are now held at the National Museum of China and the Palace Museum — what Dingling displays here are replicas. The underground palace also preserves spirit thrones, five ritual vessels, an eternal lamp, and other sacrificial furnishings. As you walk through, take a moment to study the stone structural work, the drainage system, and the ventilation facilities — they reflect the extraordinary engineering sophistication of the Ming dynasty. After Dingling, we move on to Zhaoling, the tomb with the best-preserved above-ground architecture.

Zhaoling Tomb

昭陵

Zhaoling is the joint burial tomb of Emperor Zhu Zaihou (Longqing) and his three empresses, construction beginning in 1572. It was the first tomb among the Ming Tombs to undergo large-scale restoration, allowing visitors to see the complete layout of a Ming imperial mausoleum. Its distinctive feature is the fully restored Hall of Eminent Favor and side halls. The complex follows Changling's rectangular-and-round layout but features a unique drainage system—a retaining wall and water-discharge stone channel behind the main hall found nowhere else among the Ming Tombs. Emperor Longqing reigned only six years but initiated the "Longqing Accord," ushering in a brief Ming revival. The Zhaoling Museum displays reproduced imperial garments and sacrificial vessels.

On-site narration · read it where you stand

We've arrived at Zhaoling. It stands to the east of Changling and is the joint burial site of Emperor Muzong Zhu Zaiji — the Longqing Emperor — and his three empresses. Construction began in 1538, the seventeenth year of the Jiajing reign, and the site covers approximately 34,600 square meters. Zhaoling's defining distinction is that its above-ground architecture is the best-preserved of all the Ming Tombs. Between 1987 and 1992 it underwent a full restoration, presenting visitors today with a complete Ming imperial mausoleum exactly as it would have appeared.

Entering Zhaoling, the first structure you pass through is the Ling'en Gate. This is the entrance to the sacrificial precinct — single-eave hip-and-gable roof, three bays wide, with a plaque inscribed "Ling'en Gate" inside. Its stone platform is an original Ming-dynasty structure. Next comes the main hall — the Ling'en Hall: double-eave hip roof, five bays wide and five bays deep. This is the only Ling'en Hall in the Ming Tombs that has been restored with an authentic Ming sacrificial scene — inside you'll find drums, chime bells, zithers, and other instruments used in Ming sacrificial rites, alongside ritual objects and a reconstructed ceremonial setting that gives you a vivid sense of how these ceremonies once unfolded.

Further back are the Treasure Enclosure and the Soul Tower, where Zhaoling's two most celebrated innovations are on display. First, the Soul Tower: inside stands the stele inscribed "Zhaoling." But the real fascination here is Zhaoling's drainage ingenuity. At the center of the Treasure Enclosure rises the large circular burial mound — the baoding — symbolizing the dome of heaven. The mound is packed so full that it rises almost level with the top of the Treasure City walls. A curved brick wall in front of the mound connects to the inner walls of the Treasure City on both sides, forming a sealed enclosure known as the "Dumb Yard." Zhaoling is the first Ming imperial tomb to have developed a fully realized Dumb Yard system. In front of the Treasure City is also a crescent-shaped drainage enclosure. Inside, the ground slopes upward from front to rear while the mound itself slopes downward from center to edge; brick-lined channels collect rainwater and funnel it into two square wells on each side, each capped with a stone grate pierced with drainage holes. Underground conduits carry the water out through drainage openings on both sides of the Dumb Yard. After heavy rain, the entire system whisks the water away and keeps the soil above the underground palace dry — an ingeniously engineered solution.

Finally, look at the wordless stele at the entrance to Zhaoling. Standing roughly 3 meters tall on a dragon-head tortoise pedestal, its face is completely blank — not a single character. The Jiajing Emperor ordered it erected as a supreme act of reverence for the founding Emperor Chengzu; from that point on, every subsequent tomb followed suit. Inside the stele pavilion stands a stone tortoise, about which a local saying goes: "Rub the tortoise's back and you'll never have worries; rub the tortoise's tail and you'll never fall ill." After Zhaoling, let's go see a few of the lesser-known tombs that have more recently opened to visitors by reservation.

Jingling Tomb

景陵

Jingling is the tomb of Emperor Zhu Zhanji of the Xuande reign and Empress Sun. Smaller in scale but compact in layout, its Hall of Eminent Favor uses a reduced-pillar technique to enlarge the interior, an innovation in Ming mausoleum architecture.

On-site narration · read it where you stand

Beyond the three main tombs — Changling, Dingling, and Zhaoling — the Ming Tombs complex includes several lesser-known mausoleums that have gradually opened to visitors in recent years, all requiring advance reservations. Each one has something unique to offer. Let's take a closer look at three of them.

First, Jingling. It stands at the eastern end of the scenic area and is the joint burial site of Emperor Xuanzong Zhu Zhanji — the Xuande Emperor — and Empress Sun. Construction began in 1435, the tenth year of the Xuande reign, and the site covers approximately 25,000 square meters. The Xuande Emperor presided over the celebrated "Benevolent and Xuande Prosperity" era, and Jingling accordingly features a themed exhibition dedicated to that period. Two things make Jingling stand out: first, the Treasure City was shaped to follow the natural terrain, resulting in a distinctive form that is square at the front and round at the rear, with the two forecourts and the Treasure City flowing seamlessly into one another; second, the carved spirit-road stone relief in front of the Ling'en Hall — particularly the two-dragons-playing-with-a-pearl design — is more refined and spectacular than that of any other tomb in the complex.

Next, Kangling. It occupies the central part of the scenic area and is the tomb of Emperor Wuzong Zhu Houzhao — the Zhengde Emperor — with construction beginning in 1519, the fourteenth year of the Zhengde reign. Kangling also incorporates the crescent-shaped Dumb Yard first introduced at Zhaoling, taking that system a step further. Kangling also has a charmingly down-to-earth distinction: it is the only tomb in the entire complex to host a Spring Pancake Banquet. Every spring, the "Kangling Spring Pancake Banquet" event invites visitors to sample Ming imperial court cuisine — a hands-on taste of culinary history. An exhibition on "Ming-Dynasty Clothing Culture" is also on display inside.

Finally, Yongling. It stands at the western end of the scenic area and is the tomb of Emperor Shizong Zhu Houcong — the Jiajing Emperor — with construction beginning in 1544, the twenty-third year of the Jiajing reign. Covering approximately 180,000 square meters, it is one of the largest sites in the entire complex. The standout feature at Yongling is its Treasure City walls — both the walls and the battlements are built entirely from large blocks of banded-pattern stone, also known as "literary stone" or "bamboo-leaf agate stone." The material is as beautiful as it is durable, and these walls represent the finest example of Treasure City masonry craft among all the Ming Tombs. An exhibition on "Ming-Dynasty Sacrificial Culture" is also on display inside. After visiting these three tombs, we head to our final stop — Siling, the tomb that witnessed the close of the Ming dynasty.

Kangling Tomb

康陵

Kangling is the tomb of Emperor Zhu Houzhao of the Zhengde reign and Empress Xia. At the westernmost end of the Ming Tombs, backed by Mount Jinling, it is surrounded by ancient pines and a notably serene landscape.

On-site narration · read it where you stand

Yongling Tomb

永陵

Yongling is the joint tomb of Emperor Zhu Houcong of the Jiajing reign and Empress Chen. Built over more than a decade, it is second only to Changling in scale; its 240-metre-diameter treasure-city wall and finely made Soul Tower reflect its high rank among the Ming Tombs.

On-site narration · read it where you stand

Siling Tomb

思陵

Siling is the tomb of Emperor Zhu Youjian (Chongzhen), Empress Zhou, and Consort Tian. It is the smallest among the Ming Tombs. In 1644, when Li Zicheng's forces captured Beijing, Emperor Chongzhen hanged himself at Coal Hill (Jingshan), marking the fall of the Ming Dynasty. After the Qing army entered Beijing, the Qing court reinterred Chongzhen here with imperial rites. Originally Consort Tian's tomb, its scale is far smaller than the other twelve. Siling has no stele of divine merit, no stone statues, and no Soul Tower or treasure-city wall—only a simple round mound and a modest memorial hall, echoing the tragic fate of an emperor who was diligent yet lost his empire. Ancient cypresses create a solemn, melancholic atmosphere, making it a poignant place to reflect on the late Ming and a fitting conclusion to a Ming Tombs visit.

On-site narration · read it where you stand

Our final stop today is Siling. It stands at the eastern end of the scenic area and is the tomb of the last emperor of the Ming dynasty — the Chongzhen Emperor, Zhu Youjian.

Siling is the most unusual tomb in the entire complex. Built in 1644, the first year of the Qing Shunzhi reign, it is the only tomb in the Ming Tombs to have been commissioned by a Qing emperor for a Ming emperor — and it is also the smallest and most austere mausoleum in the group. The precinct includes a stele pavilion, a Soul Tower, and a Treasure Enclosure with burial mound, all arranged with a simplicity that stands in stark contrast to the grandeur of the other Ming tombs. Why so modest? The Chongzhen Emperor died by his own hand — hanging himself on Coal Hill as Li Zicheng's rebel army broke into Beijing and the Ming dynasty collapsed. There was no time to build him a proper imperial mausoleum. After the Qing forces entered the pass, the new dynasty sought to win the hearts of the Han people by giving the fallen emperor a dignified burial within the Thirteen Tombs. So this quiet, unassuming Siling is at once the final punctuation mark of a dynasty and a testament to the early Qing dynasty's respect for Ming culture and its policy of accommodation — an important witness to the cultural intermingling of the two dynasties.

From the magnificent Changling of the Yongle Emperor to the spare Siling of the Chongzhen Emperor, we have today walked 7.3 kilometers of the Sacred Way, taking in the Stone Memorial Archway, the stone statues, the great nanmu timber hall, the underground palace, and the ingenious drainage systems — reading, in the process, more than two hundred years of a dynasty's rise and fall. This cluster of imperial mausoleums at the foot of Tianshou Mountain is one of the largest and best-preserved groupings of imperial tombs anywhere in the world. Thank you all for joining us today. We hope this journey through the Ming dynasty has left you with a memory worth keeping. Safe travels, and until we meet again.