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50 kilometers northwest from Beijing City lies the
Ming Tombs - the general name given to the mausoleums of 13
emperors of the Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644). The mausoleums
have been perfectly preserved, as has the necropolis of each
of the many emperors. Because of its long history, palatial
and integrated architecture, the site has a high cultural
and historic value. The layout and arrangement of all thirteen
mausoleums are very similar but vary in size as well as in
the complexity of their structures.
It was originally built only as Changling, the tomb of Emperor
Zhuli and his empresses. This is the most magnificent of the
tombs. The succeeding twelve emperors had their tombs built
around Changling.
Only the Changling and Dingling tombs are open to the public.
Changling, the chief of the Ming Tombs, is the largest in
scale and is completely preserved. The total internal area
of the main building is 1956 square meters. There are 32 huge
posts, and the largest measures about 14 meters in height.
It inhumes Emperor Zhuli, the fourth son of Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang.
Travel China Guide recommends the Lingsi Palace in its second
yard as really deserving a visit. This is unique as it is
the only huge palace made of camphor wood. It covers about
1956 square meters. The ceiling is colorfully painted and
supported by sixteen solid camphor posts. The floor was decorated
with gold bricks.
Unlike Changling, Dingling is under ground and about 27 meters
deep. It is the mausoleum of Emperor Zhu Yijun, the thirteenth
emperor who occupied the throne the longest during the Ming
Dynasty, and his two empresses. The main features are the
Stone Bridge, Soul Tower, Baocheng and the Underground Place,
which was unearthed between 1956 and 1958. The entire palace
is made of stone. The Soul Tower is symbolic of the whole
of Dingling and it forms the entrance to the underground chambers.
The yellow glazed tiles; eaves, archway, rafters and columns
are all sculptured from stone, and colorfully painted. The
entire construction is stable and beautiful!
Served by three stone doors, it is divided into three Halls
consisting of five high palaces - the front, the middle, the
rear, the left and the right palaces. The Gate of the Tomb,
the Gate of Eminent Favor and the Lingxing Gate all have the
same structural form.
The front hall, considered the square of the Palace, has
no building within it. No special artifacts remain in either
the left and right palaces that are about 7 meters high, six
meters wide, and 26 meters long. However, each has a centrally
placed white marble coffin bed, the surface of which is covered
with gold bricks. On each bed there is a square hole filled
with loess. This is the so-called "Gold Well". A
paved path leads to the central hall where there are three
white marble thrones. Incense, candles and flowers were set
in front of the  thrones.
Before each of them, there are glazed 'Five Offerings' and
a blue china jar that would have been filled with sesame oil
to be used for lamps. The rear hall is the main and biggest
part of the Palace. The coffins of Emperor Zhu Yijun and his
two empresses are in this palace. There are also some precious
items displayed with these coffins; among them is the gold
imperial crown, one of the world's most rare treasures.
We feel that it is necessary to remind visitors with heart
problems to consider carefully whether they should enter the
underground chambers. The atmosphere and dull lighting can
be a problem. As always, do not hesitate to consult your guide,
who will be able to offer advice..
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