Page 35 - (DK Eyewitness) Top 10 Travel Guide - Beijing

Ming Tombs ❮❮ 33

Chang Ling Tomb
Spirit Way
5 8
The resting place of the Yongle
Part of the 4-mile
emperor (the builder of the Forbidden (7-km) approach to the
City and Temple of Heaven) is the tombs, the Spirit Way is
oldest and grandest tomb. It has been lined with 18 pairs of
well restored, but the chamber where giant guardians (right)
Yongle, his wife, and 16 concubines – stone statues of
are buried has never been excavated. court officials,
imperial warriors,
animals, and mythical
Chinese beasts.

Ding Ling
Zhao Ling Tomb
6 9
Treasures
This is the resting place of the 13th Ming
In addition to an emperor, Longqing (1537–72), who gained the throne
impressive statue of the at the age of 30 and died six years later. It has an
Yongle emperor, the Hall attractive triple-bridge over a stream (above).
0 of Eminent Favor also Hall of
6 contains artifacts from 0
the Wanli emperor’s Eminent Favor THE MING DYNASTY
tomb (the Ding Ling). One of China’s most The 276-year Ming
impressive surviving (“brilliant”) dynasty rule
Ding Ling
7 Ming buildings, this was one of the longest
Tomb
and most stable periods
8 This is the tomb of the double-eaved sacrificial in Chinese history. The
hall is the centerpiece
1 longest-reigning Ming of the Chang Ling tomb founder of the Ming
2 emperor, Wanli (1573– complex. It stands on rose from humble
1620). His profligate rule a triple-tiered marble beginnings via military
began the downfall of the terrace and 32 gigantic successes to become
dynasty. His tomb (below) cedar columns support emperor. He was
succeeded by his
took six years to build. the roof. grandson, who in turn
was succeeded by his
son, who proclaimed
himself emperor Yongle
(“Eternal Joy”). It was
Yongle who moved the
capital from Nanjing
to Beijing, where he
created a new city.

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