Ming Tombs area is located in Changping District, about 50 kilometers away from Beijing. This imperial cemetery covers an area of 40 square kilometres with 13 emperors, 23 empresses ,many concubines , princes and princesses buried here. It is the best- preserved tombs in all the chinese imperial tombs. Ming dynasty ruled China from 1366 to 1644, lasting 276 years, altogether 16 emperors ruled in Ming dynasty. Out of the 16 emperors , 13 emperors were buried in Beijing tomb area. The first emperor was buried in Xiaoling Tomb in Nanjing. The second emperor had no tomb and the seventh emperor was buried in Jinshan mountain in west suburbs of Beijing. Ming tombs were built by the mountains according to the Chinese Geomancy Theory, focusing on the harmony of the nature and humans. As an outstanding masterpiece of Chinese imperial tombs, Ming tombs represented the rich content of Chinese traditional culture. . The World Heritage Committee appraised that Ming Imperial Tomb area was built in accordance with the Geomancy Theory and elaborate site seeking, with a plenty of buildings set up underground in order. It is really the outcome of human's reforming the nature, showing the traditional idea in architecture and decorations of china, and illustrating the Chinese traditional world view and power value which has lasted 5,000 years.

Ming tombs in different seasons

the Sacred Way in different seasons

The sacred way was originally designed for the Changling tombs. The sacred way to other tombs originated from this one. It becaome the general way for all. Along this 7.3 kilometer-long sacred way stands the Marble Archway, the Big Red Gate , the Tablet Tower, the stone stadue and the dragon and phoenix Gate. from the picture, you can see many mythical beast sculptures. the custom to put sculpture animals in front of cemetery could date back to Qin and Han dynasties. there are altogether 18 pairs of sculptures along the sacred way with 24 animals and 12 human figures. The animals were divided into 6kinds, 4 in each group.the first group in front are 4 lions, then followed by Xiezhi,elephant,camel,Suanni and horse. It was said that lions was a symbol of power. Xiezhi could tell right from wrong.Elephant symblized the universal peace. Camels were used in transportation and horses could be used in battle. Suanni stood for just.

THE MARBLE ARCHWAY

First you can see the Marble Archwayin the sacred way. It was built in 1530 during the reign of Ming emperor Jiajing for promoting the meritorious and virtuous deeds of the feudal rulers. It is about 15 meters high and 29 meters wide. It has 5 arches supported by 6 pillars with beautiful carvings of dragons lions, locus flowers and clouds. It is the best-preserved and largest stone arches still existing in China.

THE BIG RED GATE

500 meters away north from the Marble Archway is the main gate of the mausoleum, called the Big Red Gate. There are 3 passageways. The middle one was for the deceased emperor only. The living empeor and his ministers as well as the royal family memebers had to use the side openings when they came to pay homage to their ancestors. No one could enter the gate on the horseback because there is a tablet beside the gate bearing the chinses characters: officials and others should dismounts from their horseback and anyone who violates the rule will be punished for disrespect.