Beijing The Ming Tombs

The Ming Dynasty lasted from the year of 1368 to 1644. The founder of Ming dynasty had his tomb built in Nanjing (in southern Beijing, the capital city of Jiangsu province nowadays), the town, which he had chosen for the capital city. As his eldest son died early, his grandson succeeded the throne, and he became the second emperor (Named Jianwen).

The fourth son of the founder of Ming dynasty, the Prince of Yan, was guarding the northern frontier where near Beijing with an army of 100,000 strong. The second emperor who was suggested by his officials to weaken the forces of the princes, but was met with counter-attacks from those princes. After a 3-year interfamily war he was ousted and lost track off completely. So, the fourth son became the third emperor, Emperor Yongle, he was assigned as a frontier commander by his father years ago, deeply aware that a peaceful northern frontier was of great importance to the Ming regime and the unification of the country. Then, he moved the capital to Beijing in 1420. Along with the construction of the Imperial Palace, he chose a valley which locates 50 km/30 miles north Beijing to build his tomb. After that, most of his successors followed his example and had their tombs built here, except one who was dethroned and buried in the western suburb. Out of the sixteen emperors, thirteen lie here with their empresses and concubines. The site was chosen with the greatest care based on the theory of Fengshui. The tombs are scattered over a basin approximately 40 square kilometers in area, screened by mountains on three sides and open to the Beijing Plain in the south. The road leading to the tombs is guarded by the Tiger Hill on the left and the Dragon Hill on the right. It was a forbidden area except for those who were officially in charge of its upkeep. It was not allowed to cultivate land, cut wood or to take stones from here. No one could enter it on horseback, even the emperor himself had to dismount at the gate.

At present, three tombs officially opened to the public, they are “Chang Tomb, Ding Tomb & Zhao Tomb”, among them, the Ding Tomb is the most famous one as it is the only one was excavated so far.