Ming Tombs (Ming Shishan Ling)
Ming Tombs (Ming Shishan Ling)
3.5
9:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 9:00 PM
About
The royal tombs are a short distance outside the city. Hundreds of small stone animals guard the road to the tombs.
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3.5
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Malgorzata
12,085 contributions
Oct 2020
The Ming Tombs are located about 50 kilometers from Beijing. Thirteen Ming dynasty emperors are buried in them, as well as 23 empresses, courtiers and court concubines. The site, on the southern slope of Tianshou Mountain , was chosen based on the principles of feng shui by the third Ming emperor, the Yongle Emperor. After the construction of the Imperial Palace (Forbidden City) in 1420, the Yongle Emperor selected his burial site and created his own mausoleum. The subsequent emperors placed their tombs in the same valley. It is actually a necropolis that covers an area of ​​over 40 km². The tombs were built in the years 1409–1609. In July 2000, it was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The tombs built as if they were palaces, according to the rules of construction marked with Feng Shui. More than 3,000 different items have been found in the tombs, many of which are for everyday use, such as silk dresses or ornaments made of gold, silver, or jade. Although each emperor was designing his own mausoleum, all tombs share common structural features. They consist of three separate parts: the first consists of buildings intended for sacrifice; on the tower of tombstones; finally a tomb, made underground and sealed after the funeral. Entry to the tombs is via a sacred path, a 6.4 km walk surrounded by 12 marble sculptures in the 16th century. These sculptures represent the honor guard of the emperor. From here, the Animal Avenue was viewed, where you can see figures of animals.
Written September 30, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
roamas
Sydney, Australia761 contributions
Mar 2024 • Family
Tickets pre purchased via Trip but could have been bought on the dot as there was no queuing at the ticket office (March). We went to Dingling (the most popular) as it had what seemed to be the actual tombs of the emperor and empresses. Zhoaling featured a banquet table and Changling had replica artefacts on display (still impressive). Also walked along the Sacred Way, a procession route to the final resting place of the emperors.
Written March 24, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
yycflip
Calgary, Canada2,641 contributions
Aug 2014 • Solo
Another UNESCO World Heritage site for me.
Travelled here a few years back and it was one of those not to be missed sites while you are in Beijing. This is a good accompaniment while touring the Great Wall of China from Badaling.
There wasn't much to see as our guide said that the tombs were ransacked during the revolution. Nevertheless, as this was an integral part of the Ming Dynasty, this was still an excellent site visit to learn about the opulence, and mystery of the said dynasty.
Travelled here a few years back and it was one of those not to be missed sites while you are in Beijing. This is a good accompaniment while touring the Great Wall of China from Badaling.
There wasn't much to see as our guide said that the tombs were ransacked during the revolution. Nevertheless, as this was an integral part of the Ming Dynasty, this was still an excellent site visit to learn about the opulence, and mystery of the said dynasty.
Written July 3, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Alienandbear
Daly City, California, United States153 contributions
Mar 2013 • Friends
While this isn't near the city(about 30km away) this should be one of the places you should go to. Some people here that reviewed this place really didn't give it a chance and probably didn't go in knowing too much of the history.
These Ming emperors were the architects of ancient Beijing. From the forbidden city to the walls, to the gates, temple of heaven...they literally kept spending and spending which was one of the reasons too their downfall and civil unrest.
While I admit it is nowhere as magnificent as the Qing Tombs in He Bei, it's still a site to see.
You only really need to go to two places here. One is the spiritual walkway and see the different soldiers and the animals along the pathway.
The other one is to one of the tombs that is actually been opened. Inside you'll find one of the emperors tombs and it's interesting to see inside.
You will see a lot of Chinese people throwing money on the emperors chair and tomb.
It's something you should see and experience as Chinese people are very superstitious. The spiritual walk way door at the tombs is also a beautiful photo opp.
Summary-
For most tour guides they will combine this with the Great wall Badaling section. Which is a section you should go to as well unless you are physically disabled as the steps are probably the most treacherous at of all the sections. But when you get to the top Wow! the view is amazing...of course there is a cable car...and if you use that ......
This is something you shouldn't miss and for local tours this is always put on the list.
Only need to go to two areas. Spiritual walkway first then to the tomb that's been opened. There are 2 others but there really isn't anything inside those 2 others.
Bathrooms are all squatters
Plan your day by going here in the morning and Badaling in the afternoon...you'll miss the tour groups that way because they do it the other way around.
Try Nong Jia food, "farm food" it's much fresher and better than in the city.
These Ming emperors were the architects of ancient Beijing. From the forbidden city to the walls, to the gates, temple of heaven...they literally kept spending and spending which was one of the reasons too their downfall and civil unrest.
While I admit it is nowhere as magnificent as the Qing Tombs in He Bei, it's still a site to see.
You only really need to go to two places here. One is the spiritual walkway and see the different soldiers and the animals along the pathway.
The other one is to one of the tombs that is actually been opened. Inside you'll find one of the emperors tombs and it's interesting to see inside.
You will see a lot of Chinese people throwing money on the emperors chair and tomb.
It's something you should see and experience as Chinese people are very superstitious. The spiritual walk way door at the tombs is also a beautiful photo opp.
Summary-
For most tour guides they will combine this with the Great wall Badaling section. Which is a section you should go to as well unless you are physically disabled as the steps are probably the most treacherous at of all the sections. But when you get to the top Wow! the view is amazing...of course there is a cable car...and if you use that ......
This is something you shouldn't miss and for local tours this is always put on the list.
Only need to go to two areas. Spiritual walkway first then to the tomb that's been opened. There are 2 others but there really isn't anything inside those 2 others.
Bathrooms are all squatters
Plan your day by going here in the morning and Badaling in the afternoon...you'll miss the tour groups that way because they do it the other way around.
Try Nong Jia food, "farm food" it's much fresher and better than in the city.
Written September 11, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Marco Grava
Rome, Italy813 contributions
Oct 2017 • Couples
This site has somewhat a poor rating but it is well worth a visit and maybe you should know beforehand what to do. By reading the reviews it seems that many tourist were expecting to visit the tombs and left the site after a stroll on the Sacred Way; things in China can be sometimes a little complicated. Therefore you must know beforehand that access to the necropolis is charged separately and you might want to purchase a ticket for the Dingling Tomb; although most of the coffins and furniture inside the tomb are reproductions, the architecture and the structure are simply breathtaking.
This is the only tomb currently opened to public; excavation on the other twelve tombs has not started yet and this is also due to the peculiar history of China; this site was (unfortunately) discovered in 1957 and the Cultural Revolution struck in 1966; works came to an abrupt stop and whatever was found in the Dingling tomb was destroyed in a schizophrenic run towards Mao’s new propaganda. If the government ever decides to excavate the other tombs the many treasures still hidden will sure witness the grandness of the Ming dynasty.
This is the only tomb currently opened to public; excavation on the other twelve tombs has not started yet and this is also due to the peculiar history of China; this site was (unfortunately) discovered in 1957 and the Cultural Revolution struck in 1966; works came to an abrupt stop and whatever was found in the Dingling tomb was destroyed in a schizophrenic run towards Mao’s new propaganda. If the government ever decides to excavate the other tombs the many treasures still hidden will sure witness the grandness of the Ming dynasty.
Written November 14, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Marco B
Dunedin, New Zealand65 contributions
Oct 2016 • Family
Visited a couple of the more impressive tombs on a drizzly day, and all in all had a interesting experience. The underground palace looks more like an underground warehouse, but one has to remind oneself that it's been there like that for a very long time.
A NOTE if you travel there by subway from Beijing. Be warned that the "Ming Tombs" subway station is nowhere near the actual tombs, and you are likely to run into willing drivers who for a fee will promise to take you to the tombs, but will dump you at a nearby wax museum, where other willing drivers will try to extort more cash off you to take you to the actual tombs!
A NOTE if you travel there by subway from Beijing. Be warned that the "Ming Tombs" subway station is nowhere near the actual tombs, and you are likely to run into willing drivers who for a fee will promise to take you to the tombs, but will dump you at a nearby wax museum, where other willing drivers will try to extort more cash off you to take you to the actual tombs!
Written October 15, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
traveltodd32
Orlando, FL33 contributions
I have been on many tours and the Ming Tomb tour is interesting if your into the history of early China. But if you visit the Forbidden City....
then you've just about seen the Ming Tombs.....My Advise don't waist your time on the visit....I have had to go 2 times because it was included in the tour...and there is nothing you can do about it....Look at the parks around Beijing....they are a better deal, closer and more senic views and places to explore.
My vote.....SKIP IT
then you've just about seen the Ming Tombs.....My Advise don't waist your time on the visit....I have had to go 2 times because it was included in the tour...and there is nothing you can do about it....Look at the parks around Beijing....they are a better deal, closer and more senic views and places to explore.
My vote.....SKIP IT
Written December 1, 2008
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TravelOGpro
Washington DC, DC74 contributions
My wife and I went here, while returning from the Great Wall.
Overall it is bland and the underground area is very empty. The walls are smooth concrete and you have the feeling of being in an underground bank vault/storage area vs. an old cultural site. You do not get a sense for how it looked/was when it was built - vs how it looks now that it has been excavated and turned into a tourist destination. Also the above ground displays are redundant to materials that can be seen at other sites around the city.
There are far more interesting destinations in the Beijing area so I would not waste time at this site personally.
Overall it is bland and the underground area is very empty. The walls are smooth concrete and you have the feeling of being in an underground bank vault/storage area vs. an old cultural site. You do not get a sense for how it looked/was when it was built - vs how it looks now that it has been excavated and turned into a tourist destination. Also the above ground displays are redundant to materials that can be seen at other sites around the city.
There are far more interesting destinations in the Beijing area so I would not waste time at this site personally.
Written August 30, 2007
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Wayne B
Tairua, New Zealand61 contributions
Aug 2018 • Couples
We recently travelled to Beijing and booked a tour of the Great Wall with Variarts Travel (recommended by Trip Advisor). This tour also included a segment of a visit to the 'Ming' tombs. We were a bit skeptical about what this might entail as there had been mixed reviews about this tour. We thoroughly loved it, our guide Helen was excellent, spoke great English and was able to answer the many questions about this place put to her by our group. Though the bodies and the riches of this tomb have been moved for obvious reasons, there is still plenty to experience including the underground section which were very interesting to us.
Written August 22, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LeeYen76
Sungai Petani, Kedah, Malaysia134 contributions
Dec 2017 • Family
My family went to Ming Tomb from Badaling Great Wall by bus 879. This bus stop 879 just 100 m away from the 877 bus stop at Badaling. This bus 879 go to Dingling last stop. Even though the bus route show they go to Changling but they did not. So the last stop is Dingling. This bus journey took about an hour because it stopped many stops. We visited Dingling within 1 hour then went to same bus stop for bus 314, 877 and 879 waiting for bus 314 to Changling. Bus 314 is quite often about 15 min wait. We went to Changling spent about 1 hour. You can take bus 314 to sacred way too. All these places are away from each other, so have to take bus 314 about 5 min. Lastly, We went to bus stop take bus 872 to go back Deshengmen Bus Stop, it took about 1 hour too. Dingling was better because it is a underground tomb. Changling has a good museum, but couldn’t see the tomb. Is a good place to go if on the way back from Badaling Great Wall. Badaling and Ming Tomb can make a day tour. Good.
Written December 7, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Can you only walk in the Ming Tomb complex, north of Beijing or is there another way to get around?
Written February 26, 2018
As one of the other readers mentioned you can get around by bus. But it is not easy.
We hired a private car (700yuan) for the hole day to take us around. Just ask your hotel manager.
Of the 13 mausoleums there are 5 open to the public.
You can get a combo ticket to see them all or just pay the ones you will visit.
The most interesting are the Changling temple and the Shendao passage.
A combined ticket was around 200 Yuan.
For the Changling temple it's 45 Yuan for Shendao it's 30 Yuan.
The other prices I don't remember.
There is Jingling, Yongling and Xianling.
Our guide told us that Cingling and Maoling would open up soon.
Written February 26, 2018
How do I copy a picture to my computer
Written July 16, 2015
Ming Tombs (Ming Shishan Ling) Questions & Answers !
Seriously ?
Written July 17, 2015
Just want to add it to places I visited
Written December 27, 2014
Are the streets really steep when you walk to il Campo and il Duomo?
Written December 24, 2014
Agree with other answers - there stairs but still lots to see and enjoy without having to climb stairs. It is worth the visit and is a lot quieter and less crowded than other attractions.
Written December 26, 2014
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