Ming Xiaoling Tomb

» Nanjing, Jiang Su

Ming Xiaoling Tomb Overview & Map Weather Transportation Information

Ming Xiaoling Tomb is located at the foot of the Wanzhu Peak on the south of Mt. Zhongshan in Nanjing City, Jiangsu Province. Ming Xiaoling Tomb is the mausoleum of Zhu Yuanzhang, the first emperor in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), and his wife Empress Ma. Construction of the mausoleum began in 1381 and was completed in 1431.

Why called " Xiaoling "

In the 14th year (1381) of the Hongwu reign in the Ming Dynasty, Zhu Yuanzhang ordered Li Xin to supervise the construction of the mausoleum. In August of the following year, Empress Ma died and she was buried in September in this mausoleum, which was then called the Xiaoling Mausoleum, meaning the emperor ruled the country by means of filial piety.

Another explanation says that it was named after Xiaoci, the posthumous title of Empress Ma. In May of the sixteenth year (1383) of the Hongwu reign, the palace of the Xiaoling Tomb was founded. In May of the thirteenth year (1398) of the Hongwu reign, Zhu Yuanzhang died, and he was buried in the mausoleum together with Empress Ma. The accessorial project of Ming Xiaoling Tomb was not finished until the third year (1405) of the Yongle reign.

Getting around

Ming Xiaoling Tomb has a grand scale with stately buildings. Its structure adopted the style of the mausoleums of the Tang and Song dynasties. The mausoleum is 22.5 km in length, inside which there are magnificent palaces and pavilions. Half of the seventy temples built in the Southern Dynasty (420-589) were encircled in a forbidden garden. Hundred thousand pine trees were planted and thousands of deer were raised in the mausoleum. Each deer had a silver badge hanging from the neck, which read, Deer thief will be punished to death.

The mausoleum has two discreet sections: One is the Sacred Way area and the other is the main body of the mausoleum itself.

The Dismounting Archway

At the entrance to the mausoleum, you will see the Dismounting Archway. As a gesture of deep respect, visitors would discount their horses and sedans at this point. It is a two-bay stone memorial archway with pillars. On its horizontal tablet engraves six big characters in regular script, meaning "All the officers dismount here. So all the civil and military officers who visited the Tomb must dismount the horse and walk on foot.

The archway is 9m high with the middle part 6m wide. The archway had been destroyed into a few blocks lying at the side of the road. Afterward it was repaired. A Jinyue stele was established beside the archway in the 14th year (1641) of the Chongzhen reign in the Ming Dynasty, restating the strict byelaw to protect the Xiaoling Tomb, and people against the ordinances would be executed.

The Tablet Pavilion

Not far from the entrance is the Tablet Pavilion called Si Fang Cheng. Here a majestic tablet was erected by order of Emperor Zhu Di, the fourth son of Zhu Yuanzhang, to eulogize his father's merits and virtues. The tablet is carried by Bixi, a legendary animal in the shape of a tortoise.

The Sacred Way

Walking northwesterly across the bridge, you will see the winding 1800-meter long Sacred Way. Its middle section runs east-west and is called Shi Xiang Road. It is lined with several pairs of stone sculptured animals guarding the tomb. Each animal is postured differently and each conveys an auspicious meaning. For example, the lions, king of the animals, show the stateliness of the emperors, the camels, symbol of desert and tropical areas, indicate the vast territory of the dynasty and the elephants imply that the policies of the dynasty are to meet the desire of the grass root and the stabilization of the dynasty.

Beyond the animals is a pair of decorative columns called Hua Biao that are carved with dragons. From here the Sacred Way turns into a north-south direction and becomes known at Weng Zhong Road. This location is marked by stone carved statues of ministers and generals. Different from the straight sacred ways in the former dynasties, the Sacred Way at Ming Xiaoling goes in different directions making it unique and unprecedented in Chinese history.

Golden Water Bridge (Jin Shui Qiao) and Wen Wu Archway.

Continuing north along the Sacred Way, you will reach the main body of the mausoleum. There you will start from the Golden Water Bridge (Jin Shui Qiao) and arrive at the main gate named Wen Wu Archway. Outside the gate, there is a stone tablet with words carved in six languages notifying visitors of the importance of the mausoleum.

The Xiao Ling Hall

You next arrive at the Xiao Ling Hall, the main structure of the mausoleum. It was rebuilt in the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) and was smaller in size than the original. Figures of Emperor Chengzu and Queen Ma are hanging inside on the wall.

There are also a variety of sculptures depicting various scenes like the 'Two Dragons Playing with the Pearl', 'the Heavenly Horses Flying in the Sky' and 'the Blazing Sun over the Country'. Then you will come to Fang Cheng or Squire City (a castle-like building) and Ming Lou (a structure built in palace style with four walls left only). They are both innovations of the Ming Dynasty. The last part is Bao Cheng that looks like a massif and the tomb of Emperor Chengzu and Queen Ma is just beneath.

Getting there

• City bus: No. 20 Bus.
  
• Tourist Bus: No. 2 , 3 from Nanjing to the tomb.

Attractions around » Nanjing, Jiang Su

Natural Scene

• Lake Xuanwuhu
• Qinhuai River

Historical Site

• Ming Xiaoling Tomb
• Confucius Temple
• Dr. Sun Yat-sen's Tomb
• Presidential Palace
• Yuhuatai Martyrs' Cemetery
• Linggu Temple
• Zhonghua Gate

Cultural Site

• Memorial Hall to the Victims in the Nanjing Massacre
• Nanjing Museum
• Nanjing Yangtze River Bridge

Ming Xiaoling Tomb Highlights

Mausoleum in Great China

• Ming Tombs
• Confucius Cemetery
• Huangdi Tomb
• Ming Xiaoling Tomb
• Eastern Qing Tombs
• Western Qing Tomb
• Dr. Sun Yat-sen's Tomb
• Royal Tombs of Western Xia Kingdom
• Zhaoling Tomb
• Genghis Khan's Tomb
• Tomb of Qin Shihuang
• Zhaoling Tomb
• Tomb of Crown Prince Yi De
• Tomb of Princess Yongtai
• Tomb of Concubine Yang
• Han Yang Ling Museum
• Qianling Tomb
• Maoling Tomb
• Imperial Tombs of the North Song Dynasty
• Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall
• Fuling Tomb
• Hairui Tomb
• Zhaojun Tomb
• Astana Tombs
• Tomb of Abakh Khoja
• Tomb of General Yue Fei
• Amannishahan Tomb
• Tomb of Prince Jingjiang

Ming Xiaoling Tomb FAQ & Travelers's Tips

  Weather

1. When to go

  Shopping

1. Where to exchange money?

  Customs

1. What are some interesting festivals?

  Other Hints

1. Health and Security
2. Useful numbers

• When to go

  Known as one of the three hottest cities in China, Nanjing's scorching summer period is to be avoided.

  The short and comfortable autumn time from October to mid-November is the best travel period for the city.

  Unlike other southern cities in China, in December, it sometimes snows in the city. If fortunately, you will have an opportunity to appreciate the enthralling white snow world of Nanjing. In the coldest month - January, the temperature could be as low as -7C (19F).

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• What are some interesting festivals?

  Jinling Lanterns Fair
  It was said that the first lantern fair was held in this region in the reign of Hong Wu in the Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644), when Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang ordered a spring lantern fair to be held to celebrate both the coming new year and prosperity of the country. This tradition was passed down from generation to generation and reached its height in the Ming and Qing periods. Each year from the first day of the lunar January the lantern fair celebration is held in the area surrounding Fuzimiao.
  Period: 1st, Jan - 15th, Jan depending on lunar calendar

  Nanjing Int'l Plum Festival (Plum Hill)
  In the early spring between February and March, Nanjing International Plum Festival opens as the first ceremonial tourist event of the year. The meeting place is chosen on Plum Hill. Reputed as the First Plum Hill under Heaven, it is one of the eight plum appreciation sights having the most variety, longest history and being the largest in the country. Because the traditional Chinese Lunar New Year always falls in this period, spectacular celebrations of blossom appreciation, show performances, cultural exhibitions and bazaar shopping are be held.
  Period: Feb. - Mar. (the one in 2005 began on Feb. 10th and ended on Mar. 15th)

  Cherry Blossom Festival
  In late March, Xuanwu Park becomes a sea of cherry blossom and photography lovers and tourists throng to see the charming scenery.

  Yuhuashi (Rain Flower Pebbles) Art Festival
  Yuhuashi, a kind of rain-flower pattern agate, is a very popular tourist souvenir. Each year in September, an art and cultural festival is held in Yuhuatai (Rain Flower Terrace) Scenic Area. Exhibition of precious agate stones and performances will be presented.
  Period: September

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• Where to exchange money?

  You can exchange money at Lu Kou International Airport, branch offices of the Bank of China at Zhongshan Donglu, just east of Xinjiekou traffic circle and most hotels in the city.

  Rates at hotels may be a little higher than those in the Bank of China. Some hotels only exchange currency for their own guests.

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• Health and Security

  The health and security of the guests coming to Nanjing is a prime concern among the authorities.

  There are adequate number of police stations where the guests report to in case they face any kind of a problem.

  There are also many hospitals in Nanjing where the tourists can go in case any emergency arises.

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• Useful numbers

  Tourist Hotline: 5261179
  Ambulance: 120, 7213460
  Emergencies: 110 (foreigner's section 552729)
  Fire: 119
  Tel No. Enquiry: 114
  Police: 110
  Foreign Affairs Office of Police: 7216795

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