Ming Tombs Reservoir

Ming Tombs Reservoir

The Ming Tombs Reservoir is a national AA-level tourist attraction, a cultural tourism site, a national water conservancy scenic area, and a patriotic education base.

The Ming Tombs Reservoir is located in Changping District, Beijing, in the southeastern part of the Ming Tombs Basin, about 40 kilometers from downtown Beijing.

The Ming Tombs Reservoir was built in 1958 at the call of Mao Zedong and was triumphantly completed on June 30 of that year. The reservoir area is 20 times that of Kunming Lake in the Summer Palace, with a total water storage capacity of over 60 million cubic meters. The dam is situated between Mangshan Mountain and Hanbao Mountain. It is an inclined-wall type dam, stretching 627 meters in length, standing 29 meters high, with a base width of 179 meters and a top width of 7.5 meters. On the outer slope of the dam, the five Chinese characters “Ming Tombs Reservoir” were inscribed by Chairman Mao Zedong himself. These characters, inlaid with white marble blocks on the purple andesite slope protection, create a spectacular sight. At the top of the dam, a beautiful classical-style corridor has been constructed, where visitors can find craft shops, cold drink stands, snack bars, and more. There are also boat docks at both ends of the dam for tourists’ convenience.

In previous years, due to drought and little rainfall, the water storage of the Ming Tombs Reservoir had been decreasing. In 1984, water was diverted from the Baihebao Reservoir in Yanqing County, restoring the reservoir’s grandeur. After the water replenishment project was completed, the water surface became as vast as before, with crystal-clear green water. Especially after the Sino-Japanese joint venture built the Beijing Nine Dragons Amusement Park on “Solitary Hill” in the reservoir, an increasing number of domestic and international tourists visited, making the place bustling with visitors.

The Ming Tombs Reservoir is located at the eastern mountain exit on the east side of the Sacred Way, and it got its name because it was built south of the Ming Tombs. The reservoir features vast blue waters, and the five Chinese characters “Ming Tombs Reservoir” on the outer side of the dam were written by Mao Zedong. There are many recreational activities around the reservoir, and many visitors swim and fish under the dam. When visiting, remember that “safety comes first.”

The Ming Tombs Reservoir is a mountainous basin reservoir, covering an area of 751 hectares, including 440 hectares of land and 311 hectares of water surface. Towering mountains surround the reservoir, especially the majestic Mangshan Mountain on the north bank that rises abruptly from the ground. The broad water surface reflects the surrounding mountains, giving a feeling of “a calm lake emerging from high gorges.” The transitions between the mountain bases and the water surface form several quiet and pleasant bays and inlets.

In the middle and upper reaches of the reservoir, the banks feature large terraces and slopes, with calm water surfaces and minimal changes in depth. The water presents different landscape effects influenced by openness, depth, and varying environmental colors. For example, near the dam, the towering mountains and deep water create reflections of the mountains on the water. In the upper reaches of the reservoir, the wide water surface and gentle slopes offer an open view. Under the setting sun, distant mountains stretch continuously while nearby waters ripple gently. The patches of fruit orchards and imperial tombs scattered among the mountains and waters add a touch of hazy beauty.

Address: Southeastern part of the Ming Tombs Basin, Changping County, Changping District, Beijing

Type: Water Conservancy Project Lake

Recommended Visiting Time: About 1 hour

Phone: 010-60713399

Opening Hours:

Open all day

Ticket Information:

No entrance fee. Individual tickets required for nearby attractions

Transportation

Bus Routes:

Take bus 845 from Xizhimen or bus 912 from Andingmen to the reservoir; Tourist buses 1, 2, 3, 4, and 9 can also get you there.

Take bus 881, 886, 888, or 889 from Deshengmen to Changping Dongguan, then transfer to bus Chang 56 and get off at Ming Tombs Reservoir Station.

Take Metro Line Changping to Nanshao Station, transfer to bus Chang 1, 51, 11, or 67 to Changping Dongguan Station, then transfer to bus Chang 56 or 643.

Take Metro Line 5 to Tiantongyuan Station, transfer to bus 643 directly to the Ming Tombs Reservoir

Self-driving Route: Drive north along the Badaling Expressway, exit at Changping Xiguan Roundabout, head north into the Ming Tombs area, and turn right at the sign for the Golf Club.

Ming Tombs Town: A township under the jurisdiction of Changping County. Established as Tailingyuan Township in 1956, renamed Ming Tombs Commune in 1958, and established as Ming Tombs Township in 1982. Located in the northern part of the county, 1 kilometer from the county government. Covers an area of 67.9 square kilometers with a population of 14,000. National Highways 108 and 110 pass through. Administers 16 village committees including Jian Tou, Shipailou, Nanxin Village, Xiānrén Dòng, Dàgōngmén, Kānglíngyuán, Wáng Zhuāng, Tàilíngyuán, Hú Zhuāng, Xīshānkǒu, Xiǎogōngmén, Dàolíngjiān, Wànniángfén, Déshèngkǒu, Guǒ Zhuāng, and Chánglíngyuán, plus one neighborhood committee, Beixin Village. One of Beijing’s top ten fruit-producing townships, known for its mopan persimmons... More details on Ming Tombs Town++