明十三陵坐落于北京市昌平区天寿山麓，总面积一百二十余平方公里，距离天安门约五十公里。十三陵地处东、西、北三面环山的小盆地之中，陵区周围群山环抱，中部为平原，陵前有小河曲折蜿蜒。自永乐七年（1409）五月始作长陵，到明朝最后一帝崇祯葬入思陵止，其间230多年，先后修建了十三座皇帝陵墓、七座妃子墓、一座太监墓。共埋葬了十三位皇帝、二十三位皇后、二位太子、三十余名妃嫔、两位太监。

明十三陵是明朝迁都北京后13位皇帝陵墓的皇家陵寝的总称，依次建有长陵（成祖）、献陵（仁宗）、景陵（宣宗）、裕陵（英宗）、茂陵（宪宗）、泰陵（孝宗）、康陵（武宗）、永陵（世宗）、昭陵（穆宗）、定陵（神宗）、庆陵（光宗）、德陵（熹宗）、思陵（思宗），故称十三陵。

[Introduction to Ming Tombs (Thirteen Tombs of Ming Dynasty)]

Of the 16 emperors who ruled China during the Ming dynasty (1368-1644), 13 are buried in a box canyon at the southern foot of Tianshou Shan (hence the Chinese name Shisan Ling, the 13 Tombs). The first emperor of the Ming, Hongwu, is entombed in Xiao Ling, near Nanjing. The location of the second emperor's tomb is uncertain, while the unfilial seventh emperor, who usurped the throne after his brother was taken by the Mongols, was buried near the Summer Palace among the graves of concubines. Despite these omissions, this is the most extensive burial complex of any Chinese dynasty.

A red gate sealed off the valley, guards were posted, and no one, not even the emperor, could ride a horse on these grounds. The site was chosen by the Yongle emperor, who also oversaw the construction of the Forbidden City. Protected from the bitter northern winds by a mountain range, the tombs are constructed in a conventional fashion, with memorial halls at the front and burial chambers to the rear. The entrance to the Ming Tombs, a long and celebrated shen dao (spirit way) is lined with statues of guardian animals and officials. Only three of the Ming Tombs -- Ding Ling, Chang Ling, and Zhao Ling, have been restored, and only one (Ding Ling) has been fully excavated. Many of the buildings mirror Ming palaces found in the city. Because of this, the sight can be boring to people who've had their fill of imperial architecture.

[Tips]

Admission:25-65 RMB
Opening Hours:Peak Season: 8:00-17:30 (April 1 to October 31) Off season: 8:30-17:00 (November 1 to Next Year's March 31)
Best Time to Visit:April to October
Recommended Time for a Visit:3 Hours

[Featured Attractions]

The Sacred Way, also known as Changling Sacred Way, is the approach to the Changling Tomb. Along the Way from south to north, you will see a number of sites (or sights) of interest and beauty, including the Stone Tablet Archway, Great Red Gate, Tablet Pavilion, Ornamental Columns, Stone Figures, Lingxin Gate. Changling Tomb Walking along the Sacred Way to the end, you can see the Changling Tomb (built in 1409), where lies the third Emperor of the Ming Dynasty, Emperor Zhu Di and his Empress Xu. It is the largest, original and the best preserved among the thirteen tombs, and has three courtyards in the front and a Treasure City in the round rear part. The magnificent Grace and Blessing Palace (Ling'en Palace) in the second courtyard is highly recommended. Dingling Tomb Built from 1584 to 1590, it is the mausoleum of Emperor Zhu Yijun, the thirteenth emperor of the Ming Dynasty and his two empresses. The highlight of this tomb is the stone Underground Palace, which was discovered between 1956 and 1958, and had a great deal of precious relics unearthed. Zhaoling Tomb Located in eastern foot of Dayu Mountain, Zhaoling is where the 12th emperor of the Ming Dynasty, Emperor Zhu Zaihou and his three empresses were buried. It features the special Dumb Yard in a crescent shape housing the imperial coffins.

[Address]

Foot of Tianshou Mountain,Changping District,Beijing

[Transportation]

1.Special tourist Bus 872 (formerly 925) runs directly from Desheng Gate to Dingling and Changling every 30 minutes during peak hours from 07:10-19:10.
2.Take Bus No.919 branch line 1,345 branch line or 881 at Desheng Gate West Station, get off at Changping Dongguan Crossing Station, and then take Bus No. 314 to the Sacred Way (Nanxin Village Station), Dingling and Changling.
3.Take Changping Bus No.22 to Changling, Dingling and Zhaoling at Li Shui Qiao Station; or take Bus No.345 branch line or 881 at Desheng Gate West Station, get off at Sha He Station, and then transfer to Changping Bus No.22. Take Subway Line 5 to Tiantongyuan Bei Station, and transfer to Changping Bus No.22.