The Ming Tombs consist of mausoleums of 13 Ming emperors. Located on the southern side of the Tianshou Mountain in Changping County near Beijing, the Tombs cover 120 square kilometers. Each of the mausoleums was built alongside a mountain, and a river runs through the whole area.

It took 200 years for the project to be completed, from 1409 when Changling was built, to 1609, when Siling was constructed during the reign of the Qing Emperor Shunzhi. Altogether, 13 emperors, 23 empresses, one concubine and dozens of palace women are interred here. Open to tourists now are Chang, Ding and Zhao tombs. In addition, a Way of the Spirits, a gateway to the tombs, is also open.

One of the grandest and best-preserved imperial mausoleums in China, the Ming Tombs consist of both aboveground and under-ground structures. They were excavated in 1957, with nearly 3,000 relics unearthed. Most of the items were national treasures, such as phoenix crowns worn by empresses, dragon robes and golden crowns worn by emperors and gold utensils and silverware, and have been removed for safekeeping to other national museums.

Entry fee:35 yuan

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