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The Ming Tombs

Updated: 2013-01-01 (ebeijing.gov.cn)

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About

The Ming Tombs, which form a group of mausoleums, are those of 13 emperors in the Ming Dynasty (1368~1644). The tombs lie at the foot of Tianshou Mountain, in Changping District, about 50 kilometers from the urban area. They cover an area of about 120 square kilometers. Screened on the northwest by the lofty Yanshan Mountains, they sit on a small basin formed by floods; water flowing down the ravines meets on the plain and meanders to the east. Magnificent cemetery buildings with red walls, yellow tiles, upturning eaves stand on the eastern, western and northern slopes. In particular, the mausoleum of Emperor Chengzu lies in the center of the northern slope, which is flanked by the other twelve. The general layout conveys a solemn, harmonious order of importance, which is accentuated by the mountains and rivers.

Among the mausoleums, the largest is the Chang Mausoleum while the smallest is the Si Mausoleum, but all of them were built in roughly the same way. They form a group, yet each of them stands alone as an independent unit. The Ming Tombs are characterized by its large size, complete system, and intact preservation. As the representative of ancient Chinese imperial mausoleums, they reflect the richness of traditional Chinese culture, with very high historic and cultural value. Entirely forbidden in the past, they are now a tourist attraction famous at home and abroad. Currently four spots are officially opened to the public, namely the Ding Mausoleum, the Chang Mausoleum, the Zhao Mausoleum and the passages to the tombs.

Around

I. Convenient to Have access to catering service in beautiful and graceful surroundings In the Ming Tombs Area, all the state-owned restaurants offer quality service at favorable prices in beautiful surroundings, which makes visitors feel satisfactory. Changling Restaurant Address: East side of the Changling Square Phone number: 60761061 Dingling Restaurant Address: North to the Dingling Museum Phone number: 60761432 Zhaoling Tianlongge Restaurant Address: South side of the Zhaoling Area Phone number: 60761248 Ancient Inn of Juyongguan Pass Address: In the Juyongguan Pass Area Phone number: 69778888 Yinshan Tower Forest Restaurant Address: In the Yinshan Tower Forest Area Phone number:89726426

II. Convenient in shopping with great variety of commodities All the state-owned handicrafts shops and stalls in the Ming Tombs Area provide a great variety of commodities for tourists. They protect the rights and interests of consumers. Dingling Shopping Center Address: South to the Dingling Square Phone number: 60761426 Changling handicrafts Shop Address: East Side of the Changling Square Phone number: 60761043 Shenlu Handicrafts Shop Address: The Mid-way of Shenlu Phone number: 89749383 Juyongguan Pass Handicrafts Shop Address: In the Juyongguan Pass Area