Ming Tombs: Changling Tomb of Emporer Zhu Di

Photos & story by: Debbie Stock

BEIJING, CHINA – Among China's countless historical attractions are the Ming Tombs—13 tombs of the Ming Dynasty located  approx. 30 miles northwest of Beijing City at the foot of Tianshou Mountain. While the public can visit only three of these mausoleums (buildings constructed as monuments enclosing the interment space or burial chamber of a deceased person) and tombs, they are well worth a look.

The mausoleums of 13 emperors of the Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644) began with the Changling Tomb, the resting place of the first emperor.  Over a span of 230 years 12 succeeding emperors ordered their resting places be built around Changling in an area that spans approx. 46 square miles.

Pictured above: Ling'en Hall - Hall of Eminent Favor; copper statue of Emporer Zhu Di; silk burning (Shenbo) ovens; gold crown unearthed from Dingling.

Millions of tourists annually visit...

• Changling Tomb built in 1409, for third Emperor of Ming Dynasty, Emperor Zhu Di and his Empress Xu.
• Dingling Tomb built for the thirteenth emperor of the Ming Dynasty from 1584 to 1590, for Emperor Zhu Yijun and his two empresses.
• Zhaoling Tomb is where the 12th emperor of the Ming Dynasty, Emperor Zhu Zaihou and his three empresses were buried. It features the special Dumb Yard in a crescent shape housing the imperial coffins.

Each mausoleum has its own unit, varying in size and complexity with attention paid to creating harmony and unity with nature.

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