Ming Tombs - the Mausoleum Complex of 13 Emperors from the Ming Dynasty
Last Update: 8th October 2020
What are the Ming Tombs?
Situated 50 kilometers north of Beijing, Ming Toms is located at the south foot of Tianshou Mountain in Changping District. It is well preserved mausoleum complex. From 1409 to 1644, 13 emperors , 23 empresses, 2 princes, more than 30 concubines, and 2 eunuchs were buried in the Ming Tombs.
Ming Tombs Fast Facts
- Chinese Name: Ming Shisanling (明十三陵)
- Area: more than 120 square kilometers
- Things to do there: Photography, Ming Culture and History
- Who visits: Photographers, Chinese Culture Lovers
- Time required: 4 – 5 x Hours
Interested in visiting the Ming Tombs during a Beijing Tour?
Wendy Wei Tours offers a variety of different packaged tours as well as custom tours including the Ming Tombs, among other attractions and destinations. To find out more, please visit our Tours page or Contact Us directly to find out more.
What to expect at the Ming Tombs
Ming Tombs is acclaimed as the largest existing mausoleum complex with the largest number of mausoleums for emperors and empresses in China.
Originally built in 1409, Changling Mausoleum of Zhu di is the best preserved one in the Ming Dynasty in the area. It covers an area of 12 hectares. Overlooking, it is square in the front part and round in the rear part. The must-visit spot there is Ling’en Temple (祾恩殿). In the Ming (1368 – 1644) and Qing Dynasties (1644 – 1912) , the temple was used to worship the memorial tablets for emperors and empresses. You also can find dragon and phoenix relief at the mausoleum.
Dingling Mausoleum is the one for Zhu Yijun. It was originally built in 1584 and completed in 1590. With an area of 18 hectares, Dingling is situated in front of a tall building. In front of the main entrance of the mausoleum is the white marble bridge. There are more than 300 rooms at the mausoleum. It is the only tomb that has been excavated in the Ming Tombs. It is open to the public.
Zhaoling Mausoleum is the first one at Ming Tombs which was restored on a large scale. The public also can visit it. The Zhaoling Mausoleum has a building area of 35,000 square meters. Ling’en Gate, Ling’en Temple, and the East and West Temples affiliated to Ling’en Temple are well-preserved there. Zhaoling Mausoleum is the ever-lasting sleeping place for the emperor – Zhu Zaihou and his 3 empresses.
The Ming Tomb Path is the leading path leading to the Changling Mausoleum. It is about 7.3 kilometers. Along the path, there are stone arches, Sankong Bridge, Dahong Gate, Shengong Songde Stele Pavilion, Shixiangsheng, Lingxing Gate, etc.
Visitors can also explore the Great Wall of China (Juyongguan Pass).
Best time to visit the Ming Tombs
The best time to visit Ming Tombs is in the morning during its opening hours.
How to get to the Ming Tombs
There is no direct bus from Beijing City to Ming Tombs. Therefore, there are only a few options.
- Rent a vehicle to Ming Tombs. This is the quickest and most direct option.
- Take Bus 881 at the Stop of Deshengmne Gate (德胜门站) to the Stop of Shahe (沙河站). Then, transfer to Changping Bus 22 (昌平22路).
Additional Ming Tombs Travel Advice
- Opening hours: from April 1 to October 31, 08:00 – 17:30 (Changling Mausoleum), 08:00 – 17:30 (Dingling Mausoleum), 08:00 – 17:30 (the Path), and 08:00 – 17:00 (Juyongguan Pass); from November 1 to March 31, 08:30 – 17:00 (Changling Mausoleum), 08:30 – 17:00 (Dingling Mausoleum), 08:30 – 17:00 (the Path), and 08:30 – 16:30 (Juyongguan Pass). For the following months, Zhaoling Mausoleum is closed for the restoration.
- As at 8th October 2020, from November 1 to March 31, the combo (Changling, Dingling, Zhaoling, the Path, and Juyongguan Pass) ticket is 100 CNY per person, the entrance pricing to Changling is 30 CNY per person, the entrance pricing to Dingling is 40 CNY per person, the entrance pricing to Zhaoling is 20 CNY per person, the entrance pricing to the Path is 20 CNY per person, the entrance pricing to Juyongguan Pass is 35 CNY per person; from April 1 to October 31, the entrance pricing to Changling is 45 CNY per person, the entrance pricing to Dingling is 60 CNY per person, the entrance pricing to Zhaoling is 30 CNY per person, the entrance pricing to the Path is 30 CNY per person, the entrance pricing to Juyongguan Pass is 40 CNY per person, the combo ticket is 130 CNY per person. For the elder above 60 years old (60 years old included), they are charged the half pricing. Children under 1.2m tall (1.2m tall included) are free of charge. For the latest pricing information, please contact us via email (info@wendyweitours.com)
- The Ming Tombs offers wheelchair, baby strollers and umbrellas’ rental service.
Interested in visiting the Ming Tombs on a Tour?
Wendy Wei Tours offers a variety of different packaged tours as well as custom tours including the Ming Tombs, among other attractions and destinations. To find out more, please visit our Tours page or Contact Us directly to find out more.