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Ming Tombs

The Ming Tombs (Ming Xiaoling) are situated on the southern slope of Purple Mountain. Work on the tombs began even before the Emperor, Hong Wu (founder of the Ming dynasty) died in 1398. The tombs here are some of the largest Ming Tombs in China and the only Ming Tombs located outside Beijing. Hundreds of small stone statues still guard the Emperor's tomb today, although much of the original site has been destroyed.

The approach to the tomb is along Shixiang Lu, a pretty path littered with stone statues of real and mythical animals.