Ming Tombs Scenic Area

Ming Tombs Scenic Area

The Ming Tombs Scenic Area is a National Scenic Area, a National AAAAA-level Tourist Attraction, a Major Historical and Cultural Site Protected at the National Level, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The Ming Tombs refer to the collective mausoleums of thirteen emperors and their empresses from the Ming Dynasty. They are located in a small basin at the foot of Tianshou Mountain in Changping District, about 44 kilometers northwest of Beijing, covering an area of approximately 40 square kilometers. Driving directly north from Deshengmen, passing through Shahe and Changping, will take you to the Ming Tombs.

Ming Tombs

The architectural layout and design of the thirteen imperial tombs are largely similar, with only slight differences in size and the complexity of construction. Among them, the Changling Tomb, where the Ming Emperor Chengzu Zhu Di is buried, is the largest of the thirteen. Built in the 11th year of the Yongle reign during the Ming Dynasty (1413), Changling features key structures such as the Lingen Hall, the Ming Tower, and the burial mound. The Lingen Hall is the largest existing wooden structure in China. The Dingling Tomb is the resting place of Emperor Shenzong Zhu Yijun and is the only tomb among the thirteen that has been excavated. The famous Underground Palace of the Ming Tombs is located here. Constructed in the 12th year of the Wanli reign (1584), Dingling is grand in scale, employing over 30,000 soldiers and craftsmen in its construction that year alone. The excavation of the Underground Palace unearthed a large number of precious cultural relics, providing invaluable material for the study of Ming Dynasty history. Another Ming tomb, the Yongling Tomb, is the mausoleum of Emperor Shizong Zhu Houcong. Though not as large as Changling, it features exquisitely detailed construction, and its main structure, the Ming Tower, is considered the finest among all thirteen tombs.

In addition to the above attractions, the Ming Tombs also feature the famous Stone Archway (the largest ancient stone memorial archway in China) and exquisitely crafted, lifelike stone statues of animals. The Ming Tombs Reservoir, built in 1958, adds further charm to the site, making it a great summer destination. The ninth imperial tomb of the Ming Tombs, the Zhaoling Tomb, has been under restoration since 1985 and was completed and opened to the public on November 1, 1989. The Ming Tombs were among the first group of Major Historical and Cultural Sites Protected at the National Level, announced by the State Council in 1961.

Suggested Visit Duration

Half a day for a guided tour, one day for a hiking trip

Transportation

Routes from Central Beijing to the Ming Tombs Scenic Area

1. Take bus 872 directly from Deshengmen to the Ming Tombs.

2. Take the Changping Line of the subway to the terminal Nanshao Station, then transfer to bus 67 to reach the Ming Tombs.

3. Take bus 345 Branch Line, 886, or 888 to the Dongguan Terminal in Changping, then transfer to bus 314 to reach the Ming Tombs.

Note: Buses 314 connect the Ming Changling Tomb, Dingling Tomb, and the Sacred Way.

[By Car] Take the Beijing–Changping Expressway (formerly the Badaling Expressway) to the Changping Xiguan Roundabout, then head north onto the Beijing–Yinchuan Road. After 500 meters, turn right at the traffic light onto the Changchi Road. Along the way, you’ll pass the Stone Archway, the Ming Tombs Sacred Way (also called the Sacred Way), and the Seven-Arch Bridge. At the T-junction, go straight for Changling, turn left for Dingling and Zhaoling.

Routes from Central Beijing to the Juyongguan Great Wall

By Car: Take Exit 46 (Juyongguan) on the G6 Beijing–Changping Expressway.

Bus Routes:

1. Take bus 919 or 880 directly from Deshengmen to the Juyongguan Great Wall.

2. From Juyongguan, take bus 879 to reach the Ming Tombs.

Ticket Prices

Low Season: November – March of the following year; High Season: April – October.

Ming Dingling Tomb: 40 RMB per person in low season, 60 RMB per person in high season;

Ming Changling Tomb: 30 RMB per person in low season, 45 RMB per person in high season;

Ming Zhaoling Tomb: 20 RMB per person in low season, 30 RMB per person in high season;

Sacred Way: 20 RMB per person in low season, 30 RMB per person in high season;

Note: The above tickets are in postcard form and include postage (5 RMB per ticket). Regular admission tickets without postage are also available. Students and seniors aged 60–64 receive a 50% discount on regular admission tickets after postage deduction. Beijing residents aged 65 and above are exempt from ticket fees, except during major events.

Opening Hours

All scenic areas of the Ming Tombs:

Peak season (April 1 – October 31): 8:00–17:30

Off-season (November 1 – March 31 of the following year): 8:30–17:00

Scenic spot location

Ming Tombs Town, Changping District, Beijing

Ming Tombs Town: A township under the jurisdiction of Changping County. In 1956, it was established as Tailingyuan Township, renamed Ming Tombs Commune in 1958, and became Ming Tombs Township in 1982. It is located in the northern part of the county, 1 kilometer from the county government. The area covers 67.9 square kilometers with a population of 14,000. National Highways 108 and 110 pass through the town. It governs 16 village committees including Jian Tou, Shipailou, Nanxin Village, Xiānrén Dòng, Dàgōngmén, Kānglíng Yuán, Wáng Zhuāng, Tàilíng Yuán, Hú Zhuāng, Xīshānkǒu, Xiǎogōngmén, Dàolíng Jiān, Wànniángfén, Déshèngkǒu, Guǒ Zhuāng, and Chánglíng Yuán, as well as one neighborhood committee, Beixin Village. It is one of Beijing’s top ten fruit-producing townships, known for its flat-peach persimmons, … More detailed information about Ming Tombs Town++

Further reading:

· First batch of municipal-level cultural heritage protection units in Beijing

· Second-grade national museum of China

· First batch of national key cultural heritage protection units

Ming Yongling

Ming Xianling

Ming Zhaoling – Zhaoling at the Ming Tombs

Ming Siling

Ming Kangling

Ming Yuling

Ming Qingling

Ming Tailing

Ming Jingling

Ming Maoling

Ming Changling

Ming Dingling

Ming Deling