The Ming Tombs in Beijing are the tombs of Zhu Di, Zhu Gaochi, Zhu Zhanji, Zhu Qizhen, Zhu Jianshen, Zhu Youtang, Zhu Houzhao, Zhu Houxun, Zhu Zaihe and Zhu Yijun.
The Ming Tombs are located in Ming Tombs Town, Changping District, Beijing. They are named after the burials of thirteen emperors of the Ming Dynasty.
The Ming Tombs are backed by the foothills of Tianshou Mountain in the Taihang Mountains, connected to Juyongguan in the west, Huanghua Town in the north, and Changping Prefecture in the south. A small river flows in front of the tomb. The scenery is beautiful and quiet, and the layout is solemn and harmonious.
The Ming Tombs area covers an area of ??40 square kilometers, including the Changling Tomb of Emperor Zhu Di, the Xianling Tomb of Renzong Zhu Gaochi, the Jingling Tomb of Xuanzong Zhu Zhanji, the Yuling Tomb of Yingzong Zhuqi Town, the Tomb of Xianzong Zhu Jianshenmao, and the Tomb of Xiaozong Zhu You.
The Tailing Mausoleum of Zang, the Kangling Mausoleum of Emperor Wuzong Zhu Houzhao, the Yongling Mausoleum of Emperor Shizong Zhu Houcong, the Zhaoling Mausoleum of Emperor Mu Zong Zhu Zaijun, and the Dingling Tomb of Emperor Shenzong Zhu Yijun are all located here.
There are also 7 tombs of concubines, princes and 1 eunuch.
Currently open are Changling, Dingling, Zhaoling, Kangling and Shinto.
The Changling Tomb of Zhu Di, the founder of the Ming Dynasty, is the main mausoleum of the Ming Tombs. It was built in 1409. It is the earliest mausoleum built in the Ming Tombs and the best preserved.
The existing buildings include Baocheng, Minglou, Shiwuzuo, Lingxing Gate, Lin'en Hall, Lin'en Gate, Stele Pavilion, as well as the palace wall of the three courtyards and the mausoleum gate and corner gate built for the wall.
Dingling is located in the west of Changling. It is the joint tomb of Shenzong Zhu Yijun and his two queens.
Dingling is one of the three largest cemeteries among the Thirteen Tombs, with a ground floor area of ??180,000 square meters. There are three courtyards in the front and a treasure city in the back.
The front and back of Dingling are round. Like Changling, there are Stele Pavilion, Lingxing Gate, Jing'en Gate, Jing'en Hall, etc., but most of them have been damaged. Only Minglou is an intact ancient building.
Dingling is also the only tomb that has been excavated, so be sure to visit the underground palace of Dingling.
Zhaoling is located in the south of Dingling. It is the tomb of Emperor Mu Zong, Zhu Zaihe and his three queens.
The Zhaoling Mausoleum has a construction area of ??35,000 square meters. It currently has the Lin'en Gate, the Lin'en Hall and its east and west auxiliary halls, as well as square city, Minglou, Baocheng, etc.
Dingling was severely damaged during the Northern War and natural disasters in the Qing Dynasty. The Ming Tower, Jin'en Gate, and Jin'en Hall were all renovated in the Qing Dynasty, which changed the original architectural regulations.
The mausoleum area of ??the Ming Tombs is 7 kilometers long from north to south. There is a main sunken road leading to each tomb. Along the sacred road, there are stone archways, dismounting monuments, palace gates, stele pavilions, Shinto pillars, stone elephants, Lingxing gates, etc.
The Dagong Gate is the main entrance to the mausoleum area. The wall is red, covered with yellow glazed tiles, and has three gates.
Starting from the two hexagonal stone pillars in the north of the stele pavilion and ending at the Longfeng Gate, there are 24 stone beasts and 12 stone figures neatly arranged on both sides of the kilometer-long shrine, which were called stone statues in ancient times.
Kangling is located in the northernmost part of the Ming Tombs. It is the joint burial mausoleum of Emperor Wuzong Zhu Houzhao and Queen Xia.
Kangling was opened to tourists for the first time on April 28, 2021. Its overall layout follows the previous system, with a round front and a back, covering an area of ??27,000 square meters. It is the tomb with the most brick inscriptions among the Ming Tombs discovered.
The Ming Tombs scenic area is large, so it is recommended to wear comfortable shoes, bring water and a parasol.
You can choose to drive, walk or take a shuttle bus or bus to visit.
There are five major local delicacies: Kangling Zhengde Spring Cake Banquet, Changling Yongle Couple Banquet, Shangkou Mawu Village Donkey Rolling Banquet, Naoling Jianlao Cake Banquet, and Mayu Fang Gaga Banquet.
You can also purchase cultural and creative products at cultural and creative stores such as the Visitor Center, Shenlu Scenic Area, Dingling Museum, etc.
Ticket information: Low season: November 1st - March 31st of the following year.
Peak season: April 1st - October 31st.
Dingling: 40 yuan/person in off-season, 60 yuan/person in peak season.
Changling: 30 yuan/person in off-season, 45 yuan/person in peak season.
Zhaoling: 20 yuan/person in off-season, 30 yuan/person in peak season.
Total Shinto: 20 yuan/person in off-season, 30 yuan/person in peak season.
The combined ticket for Dingling + Changling + Zhaoling + Zongshinto is about 130 yuan per person in the peak season and about 100 yuan per person in the off-season.
Kangling: 100 yuan/person.
Opening hours: peak season (April 1st - October 31st) 8:00-17:30.
Off-season (November 1st - March 31st of the following year) 8:30-17:00.
Parking service: Public transportation: Each individual scenic spot has a parking lot.
Transportation information: Take bus No. 872 from Deshengmen directly to Dagongmen Bus Station.
Take the Changping Line subway to Xishankou, transfer to bus No. 949 and get off at Dagongmen Village West, and walk 500 meters to the scenic spot.
You can take bus No. 314 between Changling, Dingling and Shenlu.
Self-driving: Follow the Beijing-Tibet Expressway to Changping Xiguan Roundabout, then go north to Jingyin Road. After 500 meters, turn right at the traffic lights and enter Changchi Road. Along the way, you will pass the Stone Arch, the Ming Tombs Main Shinto, and the Seven-hole Bridge.
After reaching the T-junction, go straight to Changling and turn left to Dingling and Zhaoling.