The Ming Tombs is located in the Tianshou Mountain area, about 50 kilometers northwest of Beijing. It was built in 1409 during the Ming Dynasty and took more than 200 years to complete. The entire area is the final resting place of 13 emperors, 23 empresses, imperial concubines, and princes. Therefore, the Ming Tombs are also called the "Thirteen Ming Tombs" in Chinese.
- Chinese name: 明十三陵
- Opening hours: 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM
- Size: over 80 square kilometers
As a tour guide, I take our clients to visit the Ming Tombs almost every week. When we walk to the Soul Tower, clients often ask me, "Where is the emperor's tomb?" I point to the large hill and say, "That hill is the emperor's tomb." However, they can hardly believe that such a vast and magnificent area is dedicated to just one person.
By visiting the Ming Tombs, we can genuinely sense that during the feudal dynasties, whether the emperors were alive or deceased, their imperial authority never truly disappeared. Therefore, I strongly recommend a visit to the Ming Tombs to experience the burial culture of ancient Chinese emperors.
Hello, I am Lily. I have lived in Beijing for more than 18 years. I love this city and enjoy sharing its rich history and interesting stories with our clients. We discover unique food from local restaurants, and sometimes we share our life stories with each other like old friends. Looking forward to meeting you in Beijing.
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- Its Location Choice
- What Can I See Inside It?
- Is It Wheelchair-Friendly?
- How to Buy Tickets?
- Touring the Ming Tombs with China Highlights
Why Tianshou Mountain was Chosen as the Location for the Ming Tombs? (Chinese Feng Shui)
The bird's eye view of Changling TombThe third Ming emperor, Zhu Di, chose this location for the imperial tombs based on a Feng Shui master's suggestion, as Tianshou Mountain is considered to be an auspicious site. Emperor Zhu Di hoped to utilize the blessings of Tianshou Mountain to ensure the longevity of the Ming Dynasty's rule.
What is "Feng Shui"?
Feng Shui is about finding good luck and avoiding bad luck. It comes from old Chinese beliefs, including Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism. People use Feng Shui to make their homes and places feel nice and balanced with nature. This idea is important for buildings, homes, and even streets.
This tomb area is situated in a basin encircled by mountains, resembling a "comfortable chair." Tianshou Mountain serves as the backrest, while Tiger Hill to the west and Dragon Hill to the east act as the armrests. The Wenyu River flows nearby, providing a beautiful view in front of this "chair."
This terrain offers protection and energy for the tomb, symbolizing blessings for the ruling dynasty and future generations.
When you visit the Ming Tombs, don't forget to take a look at this auspicious terrain.
What Can I See Inside the Ming Tombs?
The Ming Tombs comprise 13 tombs, but only 3 are open to the public: Changling, Dingling, and Zhaoling. I highly recommend visiting Changling, Dingling, and the Sacred Way (the access route for the deceased emperor's coffin).
- Changling: The first and largest tomb among the 13 tombs.
- Dingling: The only tomb with an excavated underground palace.
I typically bring our clients here after 12:00 PM, following a morning visit to the Badaling or Mutianyu sections of the Great Wall.
There are usually three visiting routes:
1. Sacred Way - Dingling - Changling - Zhaoling
2. Sacred Way - Changling or Dingling
3. Changling or Dingling
I highly recommend routes 2 and 3. Route 2 takes about 2 to 2.5 hours, while route 3 takes 1 to 1.5 hours. The tombs are quite similar, so it is not necessary to visit all of them.
If you plan to include the Ming Tombs in your Beijing trip, feel free to contact us.
There is no shuttle bus between the different tombs, so it is better to have a private car, making it easy to visit any tomb you like.
Changling (Tomb of the Yongle Emperor)
ChanglingChangling is where the third emperor, Zhu Di, was buried with his empress Xu. It features an entire above-ground architectural complex, including the Hall of Eminent Favor and the Soul Tower.
The Hall of Eminent Favor, with its exhibition, is highly recommended. This hall is where later emperors held sacrificial ceremonies and is one of the largest wooden buildings in China, supported by 60 golden Nanmu columns.
The Hall of Eminent FavorThere is a small exhibition in the Hall of Eminent Favor showcasing Emperor Zhu Di's great achievements, helping you understand his life.
Exhibition to show Emperor Zhu Di's achievementsDingling (Tomb of the Wanli Emperor)
DinglingDingling is where the 13th emperor Zhu Yijun (the Wanli Emperor) was buried with his two empresses. The construction began when he was 22 years old and took six years to complete, costing 8 million taels of silver—equivalent to two years of land taxes for the entire country.
The underground palace and exhibition rooms are the main attractions.
- Dingling's underground palace is the only one excavated by the government. It is 27 meters deep and features diamond walls, self-acting stones, and three coffins with 26 red-lacquered wooden boxes.
The Queen's Throne in the Underground Palace- The exhibition rooms flanking the Soul Tower contain over 3,000 precious funeral objects from the underground palace. The first room displays pictures of the excavation process and various funeral objects, while the second room showcases items such as gold crowns, phoenix crowns, gold ingots, silver ingots, and silk fabrics—all national treasures demonstrating exquisite craftsmanship.
Dingling MuseumThe Sacred Way
Entrance of Sacred WayThe Sacred Way, also known as the "Way of God," serves as the access route for the deceased emperor's coffin.
The stone statues along the Sacred Way are the highlights. They include 24 stone animals and 12 stone human figures, symbolizing supreme authority and serving as guardians for the emperor.
Each statue is carved from a single piece of stone and is so vividly detailed that they appear lifelike. The largest stone statue is an elephant. I am in awe of how the artisans brought life to cold stone; every curve tells a story, allowing us to feel the weight of history in every chisel mark, as if touching the past.
The stone statues along the Sacred WayZhaoling (Tomb of the Longqing Emperor)
The Soul Tower of Zhaoling TombZhaoling is where the 12th emperor Zhu Zaiji was buried with his three empresses. He ruled China for only six years, making him less notable.
If you visit Zhao Ling, don't miss the "Dumb Courtyard" (Yaba Yuan). The Dumb Courtyard is the most distinctive feature of Zhao Ling. It is a small, enclosed courtyard located behind the main burial mound (the "Soul Tower" or Ming Lou) of the tomb.
The name "Dumb Courtyard" derives from its secluded and silent nature, as it is hidden from view and serves as a transitional space between the ceremonial areas and the underground palace (the burial chamber).
Expected Opening Times for Other Ming Tombs:
- Si Ling and Yong Ling will open around 2025.
- Mao Ling, Tai Ling, and De Ling will open around 2026-2028.
- Xian Ling, Yu Ling, and Qing Ling will open around 2029-2030.
Is the Ming Tombs Wheelchair-Friendly?
Most of the tombs are accessible for wheelchair users, except for the underground palace of Dingling, which is not wheelchair accessible. However, wheelchair users can visit the exhibition room instead.
If your travel group includes wheelchair users, please mention this when you contact us, and we will tailor a suitable travel plan and arrange appropriate transportation based on your needs.
How to Buy Ming Tombs Tickets?
It is very easy to buy tickets on-site or through the WeChat public account (昌平文旅集团). If you plan to visit more than two tombs, a combined ticket is a better option for saving money. The combined ticket is only sold at the Sacred Way, Changling, and through WeChat.
Touring the Ming Tombs with China Highlights
We offer seamless private travel arrangements that can take you directly to visit the tombs or allow you to explore other iconic destinations like the Great Wall.
Our expert guides will enhance your journey, ensuring you don't miss any fascinating details along the way. Book your adventure with us today and create unforgettable memories in China.