Overview:

Ming Tombs are located in Beijing, China. The tombs are the final resting place of 13 emperors of the Ming Dynasty (1368–1644), their empresses, concubines, princes and princesses. The period of construction of the Ming Tombs spanned nearly 200 years, and the complex is the biggest of its kind in the country. The site and its surroundings were carefully chosen according to principles of feng shui from the time of the Ming Dynasty's inception in 1368. An astonishing range of statuary, temples, gates, bridges and pagodas can be seen within the Ming Tombs complex, in varying states of repair. The twenty tombs still standing bear unique witness to the rich architectural heritage of the Ming Dynasty. It is one of the most beautiful monuments in China
Prominent Features:

, the Ming Tombs are a complex of tombs located in north-western Beijing that were built by the Ming dynasty emperors. The site, Dingling, is the most famous of the 13 Ming dynasty imperial tombs. It is the only one of those tombs to have been excavated, uncovered in 1956. The site of the Ming Tombs is located at the foot of the Chang Ma Mountain near the village of Tianshou. The burial ground is a complex of 15 mountainous sites spread within a radius of 53 square kilometers. The compound of the Ming Tombs is composed of a number of individual tombs including the Dingling Tomb, including the "Stone Archway," the "Stele Pavilion," and the "Picture Gallery". This is surrounded by a wall and 4 gates, the Gate of Great Ming, the Hall of Eminent Favor, the Gate of Devine Might and the Gate of Sources of Blessings. These gates are guarded by marble statues of different deities, such as the Heavenly Kings, the Earth God, and the God of Gates. Inside the Dingling Tomb, a huge bell mouth encircles three doorways which lead to the Three-Eaves Hall and the Final Hall, the site of the remains of the Emperor Jing and his two Empresses. Beyond the tomb chamber is a pillared hall which serves as an antechamber for the burial chamber. This area is decorated with wall murals depicting people, animals and plants. The exposed beams in the ceiling are lavishly painted with phoenix motifs and cloud patterns. You can learn history, culture, and heritage through these magnificent monuments in China.

History:

, the Ming Dynasty Tombs are located in the Changping District of Beijing. The site is home to the tombs of the thirteen Ming Dynasty Emperors, plus their consorts and concubines. These Ming Tomb sites are located along a valley about 40 kilometers northwest of Beijing, and are contained within an area known as "The Imperial Tombs of the Ming Dynasty". The construction of the Ming Tombs began with the first Emperor of the Ming Dynasty, Zhu Yuanzhang, in 1409. For about 200 years, the Mings were buried in 13 imperial tombs. Starting in the 16th century, imperial citizens were buried in the area, referred to as the “ancestral tombs.” The Ming Tombs were occupied from the 15th century until the fall of the dynasty in 1644. The tombs are divided into two parts: “inner” and “outer.” The inner tombs are the tombs of the emperors, while the outer tombs are the tombs of the citizens. The tombs themselves are made of stone and marble tablets, and contain inscriptions and artwork. The stone sculptures within the tombs are considered artworks of the highest quality, and some of the finest examples of artistically animated artworks from the Ming dynasty. In 2003, the Ming Tombs were listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The site is currently managed by a group called “The Ming Tomb Cultural Protection and Management Center,” which is responsible for the conservation of the site and its various artifacts. The center also conducts tours of the Ming Tombs, as well as offering educational programs about the area’s history. Visit one of the famous monuments of China with your friends and family.

Interesting facts:

, the Ming Tombs are a collection of mausoleums built by the emperors of the Ming dynasty. 1. The tombs are located at the foot of the Tianshou Mountain in Changping District, 50 kilometers northwest of Beijing. 2. The total area of the Ming Tombs is 129 square miles and is made up of 13 different mausoleums. 3. The Ding Ling mausoleum is the biggest and most elaborate of the tombs. It was built for the third emperor of the Ming dynasty, Zhu Di 4. The Ming Tombs were listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2003. 5. The tombs are surrounded by a wall, known as the Sacred Way, lined with statues. The statues include 12 animals, four of which are lions, camels, elephants and horses. 6. The ground plan of each mausoleum is an exact copy of the Forbidden City in Beijing. 7. Inside the Ding Ling mausoleum, there is a collection of 4,500 pieces of original cultural relics, making it one of the most important cultural heritage sites in China. 8. In addition to the mausoleums, the Ming Tombs complex includes three other areas, known as the Shengong Shengde Stele Pavilion, Changling Temple and Dingling Underground Palace. 9. Visitors to the Ming Tombs can take part in activities such as photography and tree planting. One of the historical monuments of China, it tells the story of a bygone era