The Ming Tombs

A globally celebrated historic and cultural city, Beijing boasts a history of over 3000 years, 850 of which have been as China's capital.  It is a city rich in cultural relics. The Forbidden City, the Great Wall, the Summer Palace, the Temple of Heaven, the Peking Man Site and the Ming Tombs are listed as World Cultural Heritage Sites.

The Ming Tombs

Add: South of Tianshoushan, Changping District

Tel: (010) 6076-1423, 6076-1422

Opening hours: 8:30am-4:30pm

Admission:
        Changling Tomb: 45 yuan (peak season), 30 yuan (non-peak)
        Dingling Tomb: 60 yuan (peak season), 40 yuan (non-peak)
        Zhaoling Tomb: 30 yuan (peak season), 20 yuan (non-peak)
        Sacred Path: 30 yuan (peak season), 20 yuan (non-peak)

Buses: (Tour Bus)You 1, You 2, You 3, You 4, You 5

The intriguing lengths to which China's emperors would go to try and ensure a smooth route into the afterlife are writ large at the extraordinary Ming Tombs outside Beijing. Extravagant burial chambers there became the final resting places for 13 emperors of that dynasty (1368-1644).

The importance of the tombs, another essential day trip for any serious visitor to Beijing, was fully recognized by UNESCO's World Heritage Committee and they were added to the hugely prestigious World Heritage List.

The tombs are a shining example of the funerary architecture and culture that for centuries held sway across China. An impressive marble archway and 7-km road known as the Sacred Path herald the 40-sq km area on which the tombs are found. In times gone by officials would have to dismount at the Great Palace Gate.

The figures lead you to the Lingxing Gate. The first of the tombs to be excavated and opened to the public was Dingling Tomb. This was home to Emperor Wanli. Records suggest that it took half a million workers six years to build the tomb according to his very specific requirements.

The Ding Ling Tomb was followed by two others, the Changling Tomb, the biggest of the three, and the Zhaoling Tomb.

Wan Li is said to have given a party in the funeral chamber to celebrate its completion. No fewer than 26 trunks of treasure were recovered there. Some of the original funerary objects have been left on the site for visitors to admire, while others were taken for display in Beijing and replaced with copies.

Changling Tomb, resting place of Emperor Yongle, was begun in 1409 and took 18 years to complete.

The beautiful surroundings in which the tombs are located make the area a popular day trip and a great site for a picnic.