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Ming Dynasty Tombs – A Glimpse into a Bygone Era

The 276 years between 1368 and 1644 when China was ruled by the Ming Dynasty is considered one of the greatest eras in Chinese history. The Ming made many contributions to the country’s art, literature and philosophy and have left a permanent mark on the Chinese landscape. The Ming Dynasty Tombs, situated north of central Beijing, is one of the more well-known landmarks associated with the dynasty. The exact location of the tombs was selected by Emperor Yongle based on traditional principles of feng shui. The surrounding mountains, forests and lakes form the perfect backdrop for eternal rest. The Ming Dynasty Tombs were declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2003.
The tombs were built on Tianshou Mountain’s (formerly Mount Huangtu) southern slope and in total thirteen emperors were buried here. While all the mausoleums have a similar layout they differ in size and complexity. The road leading to the tomb complex is called the ‘Spirit Way’ and is seven kilometres long. The path is lined with statues of various animals and mythical beasts that are thought to act as guides to the dead. Only three of the thirteen tombs are accessible to the public. They are the Dingling, the Zhaoling and the Changling tombs. 

The Dingling Tomb belongs to the thirteenth emperor of the Ming Dynasty, Emperor Zhu Yijun, and both his empresses. The importance of this tomb was highlighted with the discovery of the Underground Place which contained many ancient relics. The Zhaoling Tomb belongs to Emperor Zhu Zaihou. His coffin is housed in a special crescent shaped room called the Dumb Yard. The Changling Tomb is the largest of the thirteen and belongs to Emperor Zhu Di. One has to purchase separate tickets to enter the Spirit Way and each tomb.


Of all the tourist destinations in China, Beijing is the most widely visited. As the nation’s capital it contains many historical and cultural treasures. Langham Place Beijing Capital Airport is a Beijing airport hotel that is a mere forty five minute drive from the city’s iconic landmarks such as Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City. They offer spacious, tastefully decorated hotel rooms in Beijing that are suitable for business and leisure travellers.

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