The Ming Tombs Scenic Area is located at the southern foot of Tianshou Mountain in Changping District, Beijing. It is a World Cultural Heritage site, a National Key Cultural Relic Protection Unit, and a National Key Scenic and Historic Interest Area. The scenic area is distinctively characterized as the best-preserved imperial tomb complex in the world with the largest number of buried emperors. It boasts golden nanmu wood halls, mysterious underground palaces, giant stone statues (sheng), and other features. The tomb area is surrounded by towering ancient trees, nestled among mountains and water, making it an excellent geomantic treasure land. Covering an area of approximately 120 square kilometers, the scenic area houses the tombs of 13 emperors, 23 empresses, 1 imperial noble consort, and dozens of palace attendants who were buried as human sacrifices.
History and Culture
The construction of the Ming Tombs began in the 7th year of the Yongle reign (1409 AD) and ended in the 17th year of the Chongzhen reign (1644 AD) with the fall of the Ming Dynasty, spanning more than 200 years. Emperors of the Ming Dynasty regarded the construction of tombs as a major project for governing the country and maintaining stability. The construction process followed a strict operational procedure, including steps such as selecting tomb sites through divination, formulating architectural regulations, and preparing materials for construction. The Tianshou Mountain tomb area became a forbidden burial ground for the Ming royal family, serving as the secluded palace where the souls of Ming emperors were believed to return, and symbolizing the state and feudal imperial power of the Ming Dynasty. Tomb architectures adhered to the ritual system of "treating the dead as the living," imitating the imperial palace to showcase the emperor's honored status and the momentum of ruling the world. At the end of the Ming Dynasty and the beginning of the Qing Dynasty, the Thirteen Tombs were severely damaged and demolished. They underwent large-scale renovations during the Qianlong reign of the Qing Dynasty, but were again damaged by wars and conflicts in modern times. It was not until the founding of the People's Republic of China that they were gradually restored.
Main Attractions
Changling Tomb of the Ming Dynasty
The Changling Tomb of the Ming Dynasty is the first of the Ming Tombs and the joint burial tomb of Zhu Di, the Yongle Emperor of the Ming Dynasty, and his empress Xu. It is located at the southern foot of the main peak of Tianshou Mountain in Changping District, Beijing, and was built in the 7th year of Yongle (1409). Its Ling'en Hall has 60 golden nanmu pillars with a diameter of more than 1 meter. Looking up in the hall, you can see the "spider web" caisson, which is very shocking.
Dingling Tomb of the Ming Dynasty
The Dingling Tomb of the Ming Dynasty is the mausoleum of Zhu Yijun, the Wanli Emperor of the Ming Dynasty, and is the only imperial tomb excavated according to national plans. It started construction in October of the 12th year of Wanli (1584 AD) and was completed in the 18th year of Wanli (1590 AD), taking six years. Visitors can go down to the underground palace 27 meters deep along the spiral staircase to visit the original site of the Wanli Emperor's coffin.
Ancient Spirit Way
The Ancient Spirit Way is the main spirit way of the Ming Tombs, about 1.2 kilometers long. There are 24 pairs of stone animals and stone figures on both sides, in different shapes, from cute elephants to majestic unicorns, lifelike. Shooting under the evening light gives a more vicissitudinous feeling.
Deling Tomb of the Ming Dynasty
The Deling Tomb of the Ming Dynasty is the joint burial tomb of Zhu Youxiao, the 15th emperor of the Ming Dynasty, and his empress Zhang. It is located at the west foot of Tanyu Ridge in the Tianshou Mountain tomb area.
Food
Kangling Village Spring Pancake Feast
The Kangling Village Spring Pancake Feast is a characteristic food around the Ming Tombs, costing 40 yuan per person for an all-you-can-eat meal. The spring pancakes are as thin as cicada wings, with rich side dishes such as bean sprouts, shredded potatoes, leeks, eggs, etc., which can be rolled and eaten according to personal taste, with a delicious taste.
Baked Sweet Potatoes
There are baked sweet potato stalls at the entrance of the Changling Tomb. The baked sweet potatoes are sweet and soft. Tasting one while playing can not only satisfy hunger but also warm hands.
Tickets
Combined ticket (Dingling Tomb + Changling Tomb + Zhaoling Tomb of the Ming Dynasty + Spirit Way): 98 yuan/person.
Spirit Way: 30 yuan/person. Changling Tomb: 45 yuan/person. Dingling Tomb: 60 yuan/person. Zhaoling Tomb of the Ming Dynasty: 30 yuan/person.
You can search for the official WeChat public account "北京昌平文旅集团" in WeChat to get the latest updates or purchase tickets online.
Opening Hours
Usually 8:30 - 17:00 (the specific opening hours may be adjusted due to seasons or special circumstances).
Tour Routes
Recommended tour route: Spirit Way (1 hour) → Changling Tomb (1.5 hours) → Dingling Tomb (2 hours). If you bring the elderly or children, you can choose to take a sightseeing car.
Transportation
- Self-driving: After taking G6 Beijing-Tibet Expressway to Changping Xiguan Roundabout, turn north into Jingyin Road. After 500 meters, turn right at the traffic light into Changchi Road. Along the way, you will pass the Stone Archway, the main Spirit Way of the Thirteen Tombs, and Qikong Bridge. After reaching the T-junction, go straight to Changling Tomb and turn left to Dingling Tomb and Zhaoling Tomb.
- Subway: Take Changping Line Subway to Xishankou Station and transfer to the scenic area circular bus.
- Bus: Take Bus 872 from Deshengmen directly to the Ming Tombs; take Bus 345 Express from Deshengmen West to Xihuan South Road and transfer to Bus 872, 878, Chang 67, etc.
- Tourist special line: Jisan Center Qianmen Departure Station - Juyongguan (stay for 2.5 hours) - Bird's Nest and Water Cube (stay for about 1 hour) - Jisan Center Qianmen Departure Station. The departure time from Qianmen is 12:30 daily. The fare is 90 yuan for adults and 70 yuan for children, students, and the elderly (the fare includes full fare, Juyongguan ticket, and tour guide service fee).
Must-visit Attractions
- Changling Tomb of the Ming Dynasty: The mausoleum of Zhu Di. The golden nanmu pillars and caisson of the Ling'en Hall are of great ornamental value, allowing people to feel the majesty and grandeur of the royal mausoleum.
- Underground Palace of Dingling Tomb of the Ming Dynasty: The only actively excavated imperial tomb underground palace in China. You can visit the structure and cultural relics of the underground palace at close range and understand the funeral culture of ancient emperors.
- Ancient Spirit Way: The stone statues on the Spirit Way are large in scale and well-preserved, representing the outstanding representative of Ming Dynasty carving art, with beautiful scenery in the evening.
Tour Tips
- Choose a suitable season to visit. The scenery is beautiful when the ginkgoes turn yellow at the end of October or when the mountain peaches bloom in April.
- Understand the opening hours and ticket prices of each attraction in advance and plan the itinerary reasonably.
- You can rent a tour guide or follow a tour guide team to better understand the history and culture of the scenic area when visiting.
Notes
- Abide by the regulations of the scenic area and do not touch cultural relics and ancient buildings.
- Keep quiet in the scenic area and do not make loud noises.
- Pay attention to environmental protection and do not litter.
- Pay attention to safety when playing, especially when visiting dim places such as underground palaces, and walk carefully.