Although Beijing was the capital of the Middle Kingdom for five dynasties, the tombs of the Ming emperors are the only ones in relative close proximity to the city. Thirteen of the 16 Ming emperors are buried here, in a valley to the south of the Tianshou Mountains.
We toured the "Underground Palace" which is the tomb of Emperor Wanli. Wanli was buried here in 1620 with his two wives, Xiaoduan and Xiaojing. About 30,000 workers took a total of six years to compete the tomb. Pictured above are the coffins of the emperor and empresses surrounded by 26 red, lacquered chests filled with crowns, gold and jade pitchers, cups, bowls, earrings and wine containers.
The tomb itself is about 23 feet underground and is modeled after the layout of the Forbidden City. The tomb has five rooms with mighty marble vaulting and a floor of 50,000 highly polished stones. The central hall contains the marble thrones of the emperor and his wives with oil lamps that were thought to burn forever and Ming vases.
If you are in the area already you should stop by the Ming Tombs, but I would not make a special trip as this is the only tomb that is open to the public and it is crowded and loud in the echoing underground chamber.
Although Beijing was the capital of the Middle Kingdom for five dynasties, the tombs of the Ming emperors are the only ones in relative close proximity to the city. Thirteen of the 16 Ming emperors are buried here, in a valley to the south of the Tianshou Mountains.
We toured the "Underground Palace" which is the tomb of Emperor Wanli. Wanli was buried here in 1620 with his two wives, Xiaoduan and Xiaojing. About 30,000 workers took a total of six years to compete the tomb. Pictured above are the coffins of the emperor and empresses surrounded by 26 red, lacquered chests filled with crowns, gold and jade pitchers, cups, bowls, earrings and wine containers. 
The tomb itself is about 23 feet underground and is modeled after the layout of the Forbidden City. The tomb has five rooms with mighty marble vaulting and a floor of 50,000 highly polished stones. The central hall contains the marble thrones of the emperor and his wives with oil lamps that were thought to burn forever and Ming vases. 
If you are in the area already you should stop by the Ming Tombs, but I would not make a special trip as this is the only tomb that is open to the public and it is crowded and loud in the echoing underground chamber. 
