The site is located at the foot of Tianshou
Mountain, north of Beijing. The construction of these
tombs started with the tomb of Emperor Chengzu, in 1409.
The subsequent emperors built their tombs on both sides of
the first over the period of 200 years, including Renzong,
Xuanzong, Yingzong, Xianzong, Xiaozong, Wuzong,
Shizong, Muzong, Shenzong, Goangzong, Xizong,
Chongzhen (who was part of Qing Dynasty).
The tombs are situated in a valley with the Tianshou
Mountain peaks in the north. The plain has rivers and a
lake. The tomb of Changling was placed at the foot of the
central peak, facing south. The other tombs are distributed
on both sides of the valley. There is one major sacred
avenue leading to through the valley, about 7.3 km long,
providing access to the individual tombs. Approaching
from the south, there is the Stone Archway, which leads to
the ceremonial way, the Red Gate, the Sacred Way, Divine
Merit Stele Pavilion, and the Dragon-phoenix Gate. The
Archway, the earliest of its type in China, is built with
massive stone pillars on carved bases, architraves over five
openings, and small roofs over each opening.
The road continues with offshoots to the different tombs.
The orientation of the tombs varies slightly; those in the
north close to Changling face south, while those in the
west face south-east. The orientation depends on their
location within the environment and the associated
meanings. The general layout of the tombs is similar to that
of Xiaoling Tomb, though some are simpler. In several
tombs there are only two courts. The burial mound,
covering the burial chambers (‘underground palace') can
be either round - as in Xiaoling - or prolonged oval in
plan. The size of the tombs varies; the largest is that of
Emperor Changling, but the tombs of Yongling and
Dingling are only just smaller. Their precious citadels also
include an outer surrounding wall in addition to the three
ceremonial courts.
History
The Ming dynasty (1368-1644) followed the period of the
Mongol ruler Kublai Khan, who had employed Marco
Polo in his capital in Beijing. The Ming dynasty was
characterised by new flourishing of arts and literature,
including the distinctive blue and white porcelain. The
dynasty was founded by Zhu Yuanzhang (1328-1398), a
rebel leader who proclaimed himself Emperor Hong Wu,
and based his capital in Nanjing. The successors of
Emperor Hong Wu moved the capital to Beijing, where
their tombs were built starting with that of Changling
(1409), followed by: Xianling (1425), Jingling (1463),
Yuling (1464), Maoling (1487), Tailing, Kangling (1522),
Yongling (1536-47), Zhaoling (1538-72), Dingling (1621-
26), Qingling, Deling (1627-32), and Siling (1642-59).
The last emperor, Chongzhen, already belonged to Qing
Dynasty. In addition, there are tombs of empresses,
concubines, and other personalities.
After the construction of the mausoleums there were small
repairs or other works, such as repaving the Sacred Way
with stone (1536), adding stone bases to columns, or
repairing buildings after damages. In the mid 18th century,
there was a period of more substantial repair in most of the
tombs, with some rebuilding and additions, while keeping
the main features intact.
cf : Unesco
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