Ming Tombs 明十三陵Míng Shísānlíng

Why go to Ming Tombs

Thirteen Ming emperors were buried in this valley in Changping district, about 40 km north of central Beijing, each in his own tomb complex. Start on the Sacred Way, lined with stone animals and officials, then visit Changling, the largest tomb, whose great hall stands on columns of nanmu (a prized hardwood), and Dingling, where you can walk through the excavated underground palace.

The story

Archaeologists first meant to open Changling, but in 1956 they chose the Wanli Emperor's Dingling as a trial excavation instead. Many of its silks and paintings decayed soon after the underground palace was opened, and no other underground palace here has been excavated since.

What to see at Ming Tombs

• Stone Archway 石牌坊: A white-marble archway built in 1540 marks the start of the Sacred Way; Ming officials dismounted here before riding on to the tombs.
• Sacred Way stone figures 神道石像生: Further on, pairs of larger-than-life stone animals and officials line the avenue leading to the tombs, a processional road laid out for the Yongle Emperor's burial.
• Changling 长陵: The tomb of the Yongle Emperor, who chose the site and founded the necropolis, is the best-preserved of the open tombs, with a great hall built on rows of huge nanmu pillars.
• Dingling Underground Palace 定陵地下玄宫: Walk down into the chambers of the Wanli Emperor's tomb, the only imperial tomb here that has been excavated, behind heavy stone doors.
• Zhaoling 昭陵: A quieter tomb, built for the Longqing Emperor and restored in the early 1990s, makes a calmer stop than Changling.

How to visit Ming Tombs

Most people take in the Sacred Way first, then Changling and Dingling, which are the tombs with the most to see; Zhaoling can be added if you have time. The tombs are scattered over the valley, so plan on a car or taxi between them. Parts of the Sacred Way have been closed for repair, so check what is open before you set out.

How to get to Ming Tombs

Take the Changping Line to Ming Tombs station, then a taxi or local bus for the last few kilometres to the Sacred Way, Dingling and Changling; a taxi from central Beijing takes about an hour.

Where to stay

Most visitors stay in central Beijing and make a day of it. Changping town is a quieter base nearer the tombs if you want an early start or to combine them with Badaling.

What to eat

• Changping strawberries (Chāngpíng cǎoméi) 昌平草莓: The Changping district is known for its strawberries, picked in the cooler months in greenhouses around the district and sold at roadside stalls.
• Shisanling cherries (Shísānlíng yīngtao) 十三陵樱桃: Orchards in Shisanling town open for cherry-picking around late spring and early summer.
• Changping apples (Chāngpíng píngguǒ) 昌平苹果: A locally grown apple registered as a Beijing geographical-indication product, in season in autumn.

Tips for visiting Ming Tombs

• Changling, Dingling, Zhaoling and the Sacred Way are open without booking; the other tombs are opening in stages, some only for booked visits with a site guide.
• The sites are several kilometres apart, so hire a car or take taxis between them.
• Badaling is about 30 minutes' drive away, so the two combine well in one day.

Nearby

• Badaling Great Wall 八达岭长城 20 km
  Ming ramparts climbing both ways from a fortified pass, a short fast train from Beijing
• Great Wall at Mutianyu 慕田峪长城 30 km
  Restored Ming watchtowers riding a wooded ridge, with a toboggan run back down
• Old Summer Palace 圆明园 30 km
  Broken marble arches of Qing European-style palaces beside lakes of summer lotus
• Longqing Gorge 龙庆峡 30 km
  Boat rides between sheer cliffs in summer, a festival of lit ice sculptures in winter
• Summer Palace 颐和园 30 km
  An imperial lakeside garden of painted corridors, temple-topped hills and a marble boat
• Fragrant Hills Park 香山公园 30 km
  Wooded former imperial hills that turn red with smoke-tree leaves each autumn

Also within 30 km: Yinshan Pagoda Forest 银山塔林 (under 10 km), Leduogang Holiday Plaza 乐多港假日广场 (under 10 km), Huanghuacheng Lakeside Great Wall 黄花城水长城 (10 km), Juyong Pass 居庸关 (10 km), Shuiguan Great Wall (Badaling) 水关长城 (20 km), Qinglongqiao Station, Jingzhang Railway 京张铁路青龙桥站 (20 km).

On the map

Open Ming Tombs on the illustrated map to see the terrain around it, what else is close, and to add it to a trip and plan the days.

Learn more

• Wikipedia
• UNESCO World Heritage
• Wikipedia (Chinese)