History and Literature

Thirteen Tombs of the Ming Dynasty

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2008-08-08 12:04:40
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"Ming Thirteen Tombs" was the generic name of the tombs of the thirteen emperors after the Ming Dynasty capital was moved to Beijing. They are situated at the Tianshou Mountain which is at the foot of the Yanshan Mountain in Changping District, northwestern outskirts of Beijing. The tombs were built one after another in the following order: Changling Mausoleum (Emperor Chengzu), Xianling Mausoleum (Emperor Renzong), Jingling Mausoleum (Emperor Xuanzong), Yuling Mausoleum (Emperor Yingzong), Maoling Mausoleum (Emperor Xianzong), Tailing Mausoleum (Emperor Xiaozong), Kangling Mausoleum (Emperor Wuzong), Yongling Mausoleum (Emperor Shizong), Zhaoling Mausoleum (Emperor Muzong), Dingling Mausoleum (Emperor Shenzong), Qingling Mausoleum (Emperor Guangzong), Deling Mausoleum (Emperor Xizong), Siling Mausoleum (Emperor Sizong).

The Ming Tombs cover a total area of 120-odd square kilometers. There is a great stone monumental archway in front of the main gate, and stele pavilions, ornamental columns, stone men, stone animals, etc. within it.

Changling Mausoleum

Changling Mausoleum

Head of the thirteen tombs, it is the co-burial place of Emperor Yongle, Zhu Di, and his wife Empress Xu.
Xianling Mausoleum

Xianling Mausoleum

Located at the foot of west peak of Tianshou Mountain, it is the burial place of the fourth Ming emperor and his wife - Emperor Renzong Zhu Gaochi and Empress Zhang.
Jingling Mausoleum

Jingling Mausoleum

Located at the foot of the east peak (also named Heishan) of Tianshou Moutain, it is the burial place of the fifth Ming emperor and his wife - Emperor Xuanzong Zhu Zhanji and Empress Sun.
Yuling Mausoleum

Yuling Mausoleum

Located at the southern foot of Shimen Mountain, it is the burial place of the sixth Ming emperor and his two empresses - Emperor Yingzong Zhu Qizhen and Empresses Qian and Zhou.
Maoling Mausoleum

Maoling Mausoleum

Located at the foot of Jubao Mountain on the right of Yuling Mausoleum, it is the burial place of the eighth Ming emperor and his wives - Emperor Xianzong Zhu Jianshen, Empress Wang, Ji and Shao.
Tailing Mausoleum

Tailing Mausoleum

Located at the southeastern foot of Bijia Moutain, it is the burial place of the ninth Ming emperor and his wife - Emperor Xiaozong Zhu Youtang and Empress Zhang.
Kangling Mausoleum

Kangling Mausoleum

Located at the east foot of Jinling Mountain (also named Lotus Mountain or Babao Lotus Mountain), it is the burial place of the tenth Ming emperor and his wife - Emperor Wuzong Zhu Houzhao and...
Yongling Mausoleum

Yongling Mausoleum

Located at the southern foot of Yangcui Mountain, it is the burial place of the eleventh Ming emperor and his wives - Emperor Shizong Zhu Houcong and Empresses Chen, Fang, and Du.
Zhaoling Mausoleum

Zhaoling Mausoleum

Located at the eastern foot of Dayu Mountain, it is the burial place of the twelfth Ming emperor, Emperor Muzong Zhu Zaihou, and his three empresses.
Dingling Mausoleum

Dingling Mausoleum

It is the burial place of the thirteenth Ming emperor, Emperor Shenzong Zhu Yijun, and Empresses Xiaoduan and Xiaojing, both of whom bore the same family name - Wang.
Qingling Mausoleum

Qingling Mausoleum

Located at the southern foot of Erling Mountain, it is the burial place of the fourteenth Ming emperor and his wives - Emperor Guangzong Zhu Changluo and Empresses Guo, Wang, and Liu.
Deling Mausoleum

Deling Mausoleum

Located at the western foot of Tanyuling Mountain, it is the burial place of the fifteenth Ming emperor and his wife - Emperor Xizong Zhu Youxiao and Empress Zhang.
Siling Mausoleum

Siling Mausoleum

Located at the southern foot of Luma Moutain at the southwest of the tomb area, it is the burial place of the last Ming emperor and his wives - Emperor Chongzhen Zhu Youjian, Empress Zhou and...
Stone statues of military officials in the Thirteen Tombs

Stone statues of military officials in the Thirteen Tombs

The military officials are wearing armor, holding a golden weapon in the hand and hanging a sword from the waist; they look strong and powerful.
Stone statues of civil officials in the Thirteen Tombs

Stone statues of civil officials in the Thirteen Tombs

The civil officials are wearing official hats on the head and holding the court scepter in the hand; they look gentle and urbane, seeming to have great learning in the mind.