Imperial Tombs of the Ming and Qing Dynasties
The splendid Imperial Tombs of the Ming and Qing Dynasties are located in several provinces in China, among which the most famous ones are: Ming Tombs in Beijing, Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum (Tombs of Zhu Yuanzhang) in Jiangsu Province, Mingxianling Mausoleum in Hubei Province, Three Imperial Tombs of Qing Dynasties in Liaoning Province, Eastern Imperial Tombs of Qing Dynasty and Western Imperial Tombs of Hebei Province.
Ming Tombs
Imperial Tombs of the Ming and Qing Dynasties is represented by Ming Tombs, where 13 emperors of Ming Dynasties after the capital of Ming Dynasty moved to Beijing were buried. Covering an area of more than 40 square kilometers, these tombs were built in 1409 and have been perfectly preserved. Because of its long history, palatial and integrated architecture, the site has a high cultural and historic value. The layout and arrangement of all the 13 mausoleums are of similar style but vary in size as well as in the complexity of their structures. It was originally built only as the largest and most magnificent of the Ming tombs-Changling Mausoleum, the tomb of Emperor Zhu Di and his empresses. The succeeding 12 emperors had their tombs built around Changling.
Only the Changling Mausoleum and Dingling Mausoleum are open to the public. Covering an area of 1956 square meters, the one and only camphor-wooden palace - Changling Mausoleum has 32 huge posts. It is a mausoleum of Emperor Zhudi, the fourth son of Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang. Its ceiling is colorfully painted and supported by sixteen solid camphor posts and the floor is decorated with gold bricks. While the 27-meter deep stone Dingling Mausoleum is the mausoleum of Emperor Zhu Yijun, the thirteenth emperor (who occupied the throne the longest during the Ming Dynasty), and his two empresses. The main structures inside are the Stone Bridge, Soul Tower, Baocheng and the Underground Place, which was unearthed between 1956 and 1958. The Soul Tower is symbolic of Dingling Mausoleum and it forms the entrance to the underground chambers. The yellow glazed tiles; eaves, archway, rafters and columns are all sculptured and colorfully painted. The entire construction is stable and beautiful!