Ming Tombs

Introduction to Ming Tombs

The Ming Tombs are located in Changping County which is 50 kilometers northwest of Beijing. The Ming Tombs are situated on the southern slope of Tianshou Mountain and the location was chosen by Emperor Yongle of the Ming Dynasty. There are a total of 13 emperor’s mausoleums, 7 tombs for concubines and a grave for eunuchs. The mausoleum for Yongle Emperor was constructed after the completion of The Forbidden City in 1420, the location was chosen by the emperor himself. 

Out of the 13 tombs the best preserved tombs that are open to the public are Changling Tomb, Dingling Tomb and Zhaoling Tomb. However, Changling Tomb remains the most famous of the Ming Tombs. The tomb is the largest scale and is best preserved. The internal area of the main building is approximately 1,956 square meters. Changling Tomb is where Emperor Zhudi is buried who was the fourth son of Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang. 

Today the Ming Tombs are designated as one of the components of the World Heritage object, Imperial Tombs of the Ming and Qing Dynasties, which also includes a number of other sites in Beijing

Location

Ming Shisan Ling Area, Changling Town, Changping District, Beijing

Travel Information

Admission Fee: 150 Yuan (1st Apr - 31st Oct), 105 Yuan (1st Nov - 31st Mar) 
Opening Hours: 8:10AM - 5:30PM (1st Apr - 31st Oct), 8:30AM - 5:00PM (1st Nov -  31st  Mar) 
Best Time to Visit: Sacred Way is suitable to visit all year round.

Main Sights

Sacred Way, Changling Tomb, Zhaoling Tomb and Dingling Tomb

Transportation 

1. Take Subway Line 13 getting off at Huilongguan Station, then take bus 878 getting off at Changling Station.

Travel Tips 

1.Do try to avoid visiting the Ming Tombs during the summer holidays and Golden Week in October as it will be extremely crowded.