Ming Xiaoling Tomb

Hours & Admission Price Peak Season
Jan.-Dec.
07:00-18:00.
70 Low Season
Jan.-Dec.
07:00-18:00.
70 Address & Phone +86 (25) 8444-8015 Transportation Visitors may take tourism bus No.2, 3, bus No.20 or No.315 to Ming Xiaoling Tomb; One may also take subway line 2 and get off at Ming Xiaoling Tomb station. Notes

Ming Xiaoling Tomb is the biggest imperial tomb in Nanjing and one of China's most important and impressive historical sites. Its unique design, eminent status, and grand scale have been drawing visitors for centuries.

Ming Xiaoling Tomb is the tomb of Zhu Yuanzhang, the founder of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), and his wife Empress Ma. It is located at the southern foot of Zijin Mountain, which is located at the east of Nanjing, and recently received the honor of being listed as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site. The construction of the tomb began during the Hongwu Emperor’s life in 1381 and was completed in 1405, with a huge expenditure of resources involving 100,000 laborers. It is the biggest Imperial tomb in Nanjing and one of the biggest tomb all over the country.

Architectural Feature

As the first imperial tomb of Ming Dynasty, Ming Xiaoling Tomb represents the highest achievement in the filed of architecture and stone carving art, which influence the construction of imperial tomb in Ming and Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) for more than 500 years. Having experienced more than 600 years of miserable life, many wooden buildings of Ming Xiaoling Tomb were destroyed in wars and only part of the brick and stone structures remains. The pattern of the tomb still retains the original magnificent air. The tomb inherited the system of ‘with the mountain for tomb’ in Dang and Song Dynasties and changed the square grave in to round one, a new the catacombs building pattern. With its large scale, unique shape, and beautiful scenery, Ming Xiaoling Tomb became renowned in the world.

Layout

The tomb has two sections: one is the Sacred Way area and the other is the main body of the tomb itself. The major structures at Ming Xiaoling Tomb include: The Dismounting Archway, Great Golden Gate, Sacred Way, Ling Xing Gate, the XiaoLing Hall, Fangcheng and Baocheng, etc.

The Dismounting Archway

At the entrance of the tomb, there stands the Dismounting Archway, which is a two-bay stone memorial archway with pillars. On its horizontal tablet inscribes six big characters, meaning all the officers dismount here. So all the civil and military officers who visited the Tomb must dismount the horse and walk on foot.

Great Golden Gate

Located on the northwest of more than 750 meters, the Great Golden Bridge is a yellow glazed tiles double-hipped roof building. It is originally functioned as the major gate into the mausoleum. It is 26.66metres wide and 8.09 meters deep with three entrances. The top section of the gate has been destroyed, together with the 22.5 km wall that originally surrounded the tomb area.

The Sacred Way

The Sacred Way is about 1,800 meters long. It includes two sections: the Shi Xiang Road and the Wengzhong Road. The Shi Xiang Road is lined by 12 pairs of stone sculptured animals guarding the tomb. Beyond them is a pair of column called Hua Biao in Chinese. The Wengzhong Road is marked by four pairs of stone carved status of ministers and generals.

Ling Xing Gate

Ling Xing Gate is located at the end of the Sacred Way. Originally, it had three gates with two walls in between, but all that remains now are the foundations.

The Xiao Ling Hall

Most part of the Xiao Ling Hall has been destroyed. It was rebuilt in Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) on a smaller scale than the original. Figures of Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang and Queen Ma are hanging inside on the wall.

Fang Cheng

Fang Cheng was a stone wall with a terrace on top. On a stone wall surrounding the vault, 7 Chinese characters were inscribed, identifying the mausoleum of Emperor Ming Taizu. Now, the roof has gone.

Baocheng

With a diameter of 400 meters, Baocheng is the tomb where the emperor Zhu Yuanzhang and his queen were buried.

>>Following is a tour that can bring you to visit the Ming Xiaoling Tomb:
8 Days 5 Cities of East China & Water Town of Zhouzhuang

Nanjing Culture