Ming Tombs Beijing

Situated in Changping County, about 50 kilometers northwest of Beijing center, it is a tomb cluster of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), with 13 emperors buried in a complex spreading some 15 square miles. Covering an area of more than 120 square kilometers, it appears extremely spectacular, and was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2003.

The site of the Ming Dynasty Imperial Tombs was carefully chosen according to Feng Shui principles. According to these, bad spirits and evil winds descending from the North must be deflected; therefore, an arc-shaped area at the foot of the Jundu Mountains north of Beijing was selected. This 40 square kilometer area — enclosed by the mountains in a pristine, quiet valley full of dark earth, tranquil water and other necessities as per Feng Shui — would become the necropolis of the Ming Dynasty.

Highlights of Ming Tombs

Dingling Tomb

Dingling is under ground and about 27 meters deep, the mausoleum of Emperor Zhu Yijun, the thirteenth emperor of Ming Dynasty. The main features are the Stone Bridge, Soul Tower, Baocheng and the Underground Place. The Soul Tower is symbolic of the whole of Dingling and it forms the entrance to the underground chambers. The yellow glazed tiles, eaves, archway, rafters and columns are all sculptured from stone, and colorfully painted. The entire construction is stable and beautiful.

Changling Tomb

Changling Tomb, the chief of the Ming Tombs, is the largest in scale and is completely preserved. The total internal area of the main building is 1956 square meters, with 32 huge posts and about 14 meters in height.  

Sacred Way

In the front part of the Ming Tombs, there is a Sacred Way which means the road leading to heaven. The Emperor was believed as the Son of the Heaven in the ancient time, so they would go to the Heaven when they died. It was the way leading them to the Heaven.

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Location: Changping County, about 50km northwest of Beijing center, near Badaling Great Wall

Opening Hours: 08:30 – 17:30 for the Changling Tomb; 08:30 – 18:00 for the Dingling Tomb

How to get there

You can take the bus no. 919 at the Deshengmen Xi Station, and get off at Changping Xi Guan Station. Then, you take the bus no. 314 and get off at the Dingling Tomb Station or Changling Tomb Station.

How to get to Badaling Great Wall from Ming Tombs

Take bus no. 314 at Dingling Tomb or Changling Tomb, and get off at Ming Huang La Xiang Gong Station, then take the bus no. 919 (慢) at the South Gate of the Ming Dynasty Wax Museum, and get off at Badaling Great Wall.

Weather/Best Time to Go

Beijing enjoys the humid continental climate with hot humid summers, cold dry winters, shorter spring and autumn. You can have a Beijing tour any time of the year, because it can give fresh feeling by enjoying the special tour of the four seasons.

Spring, summer and autumn are all the best time of year to visit, when the area surrounding the vaults is alive with trees and blooming flowers. It is a good place to visit if you are interested in dynastic history of Ming.

Travel Tips

• The Ming Tombs are on the way to Badaling Great Wall from Beijing. It is best to arrange the two places in a day.
• You are necessary to consider carefully whether you should enter the underground chambers, because the atmosphere and dull lighting may be a problem for you.