The tombs of the Ming Emperors are situated out near the Tianshou Mountains, some 50 kilometers northwest of Beijing. The tombs offer visitors the opportunity to not only view the burial edifices of great historical figures, but experience major events during the course of China's rich and gripping history.

Apart from the tombs of 13 Ming Dynasty emperors, the tombs of seven concubines and the tomb of a eunuch are also situated in the valley. TheMing Tombs' area is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The tombs, which cover some 80 square kilometers, took more than 200 years to construct. They show the harmonious integration of architecture set in a natural environment. And, what makes this natural environment particularly fascinating is that it was selected to meet with the ancient rules of geomancy, or Fengshui.

The best approach to the Changling, the mausoleum of Emperor Yongle, is along the Sacred Way, a seven-kilometre-long colonnade. This divine pathway is lined with willow trees, and as you make your way along the colonnade you stroll past life-size statues of camels, lions and elephants. You will also view statues of Chinese mythological beasts. And, as you reach the end of the Sacred Way you come across the statues of generals and other dignitaries.

The Sacred Way symbolizes the road leading to heaven. It was believed that the emperor, who was known as the Son of the Heaven, came from Heaven to his country via the Sacred Way, and so it was thought that the emperor deserved to return to Heaven the same way.

Once you've walked the whole of the Sacred Way it is then to take the 10-minute to the Changling mausoleum. Changling mausoleum is undoubtedly the most magnificent of the three main tombs here. Changling is the tomb of Emperor Zhu Di, often referred to as Emperor Yongle. This tomb alone took 18 years to construct.

Meanwhile, at Changling once entering through the Gate of Eminent Favour, you pass the stele pavillion, and two sacred silk burners in a huge courtyard before coming to the Hall of Eminent Favour. Here, you come face-to-face with a huge bronze statue of Emperor Yongle. A display in both Chinese and English explains the achievements of his reign. You can view his crowns, as well as jade jewelery, porcelain, and even gold chopsticks and spoons.

Dingling took six years to complete. It was constructed as the mausoleum for Emperor Zhu Xiejun, who was popularly known as Emperor Wanli, the 13th emperor of the Ming Dynasty.

The Underground Palace of Dingling is the only one of the Ming Tombs excavated so far. Inside there are five stone chambers, and more than 3,000 cultural relics have been unearthed here. You can walk around the chambers and see the coffin bed where replicas of the huge red coffins and cases are on display. There is a museum on site where you can view crowns, treasures, silks and robes that have been unearthed at Dingling.

Source: CITS