Ming Maoling

Ming Maoling

Ming Maoling is a cultural tourism attraction.

Ming Maoling, located at the foot of Jubao Mountain to the right of Yuling, is the joint burial mausoleum of the eighth emperor of the Ming Dynasty, Emperor Xianzong the Pure Emperor Zhu Jianshen (reign title Chenghua), and his three empresses: Lady Wang, Lady Ji, and Lady Shao.

The name of Maoling was decided on September 15, 1487, during the 23rd year of the Chenghua reign. On the same day, the succeeding Emperor Xiaozong Zhu Youchang issued an edict to construct the mausoleum. The site was selected by Vice Minister of Rites Ni Yue and the Director of the Imperial Astronomical Bureau Li Hua, among others. Eunuchs Huang Shun from the Directorate of Ceremonial, Li Liang from the Directorate of Imperial Stud, Grand Tutor and Grand Preceptor as well as Duke of Protecting the Nation Zhu Yong, and Vice Minister of Works Chen Zheng were ordered to oversee the labor and craftsmanship involved in the construction. On September 19, ground was broken for the imperial tomb, employing as many as 40,000 soldiers from the Imperial Guards. On December 17, Emperor Xianzong and Empress Xiao Mu were interred. On April 24, 1488, in the first year of the Hongzhi reign, the construction of the Maoling mausoleum complex was completed, taking a total of just over seven months. The layout of the mausoleum largely followed that of Yuling, but uniquely, behind the glazed screen wall inside the treasure city, there were steps on both the left and right sides leading up to the top of the treasure mound — a feature not shared by the other imperial tombs.

Three days after the completion of the mausoleum complex, a sudden heavy rainstorm struck Tianshou Mountain, accompanied by thunder, lightning, wind, and hail. Many of the roof ornaments, tiles, beast heads, and architectural elements of the various imperial halls, kitchens, pavilions, and offices were shattered. Consequently, ministers submitted numerous memorials urging the newly enthroned Emperor Xiaozong to surround himself with virtuous officials, govern diligently, cultivate moral virtue, and care for the people, in hopes of appeasing Heaven’s will. Clearly, the ministers interpreted the disaster through the idealist concept of “correspondence between Heaven and man,” using it as a warning to the new emperor to avoid suppressing the worthy and promoting the wicked, and to refrain from listening to slander. Otherwise, they cautioned, Heaven would again send calamities as punishment.

The architecture of Maoling remained relatively well-preserved in the early Qing period, and many furnishings inside the Hall of Eminent Favor were also retained. Gu Yanwu’s *Records of the Scenery of Changping* described the state of Maoling during the Shunzhi and Kangxi reigns as follows: “Of the twelve mausoleums, only Maoling remains intact. Others may have only the imperial bed remaining, but at Maoling, items such as [those in the Hall of Eminent Favor] can still be found.”

Between 1785 and 1787 (the 50th to 52nd years of the Qianlong reign), Maoling underwent repairs. With the exception of the Gate of Eminent Favor, which was downsized along with its platform, the restoration largely followed the model of Yuling. By the end of the Qing Dynasty, the Gate of Eminent Favor had collapsed due to long-term neglect. During the Republican era, the already damaged Hall of Eminent Favor was further dismantled. Its current state is similar to that of Yuling.

Emperor Xianzong of Ming, Zhu Jianshen (December 9, 1447 – September 9, 1487), originally named Zhu Jian?, was of Han ethnicity. He was the eighth emperor of the Ming Dynasty, the eldest son of Emperor Yingzong Zhu Qizhen, and the son of Empress Xiao Su Zhou. He reigned from 1464 to 1487.

Zhu Jianshen was originally the crown prince. After the Tumu Crisis, when his father Zhu Qizhen was captured by the Oirats, his uncle Zhu Qiyu ascended the throne. In 1452 (the 3rd year of the Jingtai reign), Zhu Qiyu deposed Zhu Jianshen as the Prince of Yi and replaced him with Zhu Jianshi as the crown prince. In 1457 (the 8th year of the Jingtai reign), after the Yuanming Coup reinstated Emperor Yingzong, Zhu Jianshen was re-established as the crown prince.

Zhu Jianshen... More details about Emperor Zhu Jianshen ++

Shisanling Town: A township under the jurisdiction of Changping County. Established as Tailingyuan Township in 1956, renamed Shisanling Commune in 1958, and became Shisanling Township in 1982. Located in the northern part of the county, 1 km from the county seat, it covers an area of 67.9 square kilometers with a population of 14,000. National Highways 108 and 110 pass through the area. It administers 16 village committees including Jian Tou, Shipailou, Nanxin Village, Immortal’s Cave, Daguamen, Kanglingyuan, Wangzhuang, Tailingyuan, Huzhuang, Xishankou, Xiaoguamen, Daolingjian, Wan’nangfen, Deshengkou, Guozhuang, and Changlingyuan, plus one neighborhood committee: Beixin Village. It is one of Beijing’s top ten fruit-producing townships, known for its flat-peach persimmons... More details about Shisanling Town ++

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