Full travelling
information of Beijing attractions
Ming Tombs
50
kilometers northwest from Beijing City lies the Ming Tombs - the general
name given to the mausoleums of 13 emperors of the Ming Dynasty (1368
- 1644). The mausoleums have been perfectly preserved, as has the necropolis
of each of the many emperors. Because of its long history, palatial and
integrated architecture, the site has a high cultural and historic value.
The layout and arrangement of all thirteen mausoleums are very similar
but vary in size as well as in the complexity of their structures.
It was originally built only as Changling, the tomb of Emperor Zhudi and
his empresses. This is the most magnificent of the tombs. The succeeding
twelve emperors had their tombs built around Changling.
Only the Changling and Dingling tombs are open to the public. Changling,
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. There are 32 huge posts, and the largest measures about 14 meters
in height. It inhumes Emperor Zhudi, the fourth son of Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang.
Travel China Guide recommends the Lingsi Palace in its second yard as
really deserving a visit. This is unique as it is the only huge palace
made of camphor wood. It covers about 1956 square meters. The ceiling
is colorfully painted and supported by sixteen solid camphor posts. The
floor was decorated with gold bricks.
Unlike Changling, Dingling is under ground and about 27 meters deep. It
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 features are the Stone Bridge, Soul Tower, Baocheng and the Underground
Place, which was unearthed between 1956 and 1958. The entire palace is
made of stone. 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!
Served by three stone doors, it is divided into three Halls consisting
of five high palaces - the front, the middle, the rear, the left and the
right palaces. The Gate of the Tomb, the Gate of Eminent Favor and the
Lingxing Gate all have the same structural form.
The
front hall, considered the square of the Palace, has no building within
it. No special artifacts remain in either the left and right palaces that
are about 7 meters high, six meters wide, and 26 meters long. However,
each has a centrally placed white marble coffin bed, the surface of which
is covered with gold bricks. On each bed there is a square hole filled
with loess. This is the so-called "Gold Well". A paved path
leads to the central hall where there are three white marble thrones.
Incense, candles and flowers were set in front of the thrones. Before
each of them, there are glazed 'Five Offerings' and a blue china jar that
would have been filled with sesame oil to be used for lamps. The rear
hall is the main and biggest part of the Palace. The coffins of Emperor
Zhu Yijun and his two empresses are in this palace. There are also some
precious items displayed with these coffins; among them is the gold imperial
crown, one of the world's most rare treasures.
We feel that it is necessary to remind visitors with heart problems to
consider carefully whether they should enter the underground chambers.
The atmosphere and dull lighting can be a problem. As always, do not hesitate
to consult your guide, who will be able to offer advice.
50
kilometers northwest from Beijing City lies the Ming Tombs - the general
name given to the mausoleums of 13 emperors of the Ming Dynasty (1368
- 1644). The mausoleums have been perfectly preserved, as has the necropolis
of each of the many emperors. Because of its long history, palatial and
integrated architecture, the site has a high cultural and historic value.
The layout and arrangement of all thirteen mausoleums are very similar
but vary in size as well as in the complexity of their structures.
The
front hall, considered the square of the Palace, has no building within
it. No special artifacts remain in either the left and right palaces that
are about 7 meters high, six meters wide, and 26 meters long. However,
each has a centrally placed white marble coffin bed, the surface of which
is covered with gold bricks. On each bed there is a square hole filled
with loess. This is the so-called "Gold Well". A paved path
leads to the central hall where there are three white marble thrones.
Incense, candles and flowers were set in front of the thrones. Before
each of them, there are glazed 'Five Offerings' and a blue china jar that
would have been filled with sesame oil to be used for lamps. The rear
hall is the main and biggest part of the Palace. The coffins of Emperor
Zhu Yijun and his two empresses are in this palace. There are also some
precious items displayed with these coffins; among them is the gold imperial
crown, one of the world's most rare treasures.