Ming Tombs (Thirteen Tombs of Ming Dynasty)
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Ming Tombs Map (Click to enlarge) ![]() |
In the Ming Dynasty Tombs scenic area, each mausoleum has its own independent unit. The layout and arrangement of all the thirteen mausoleums are very similar, but they vary in size as well as in the complexity of their structures. Each was built in an area at the foot of the mountain, with distances ranging from half a kilometer (547 yards) to eight kilometers (5 miles) between them. The tombs stretch out on the two sides of Changling Tomb in a fan shape, except for the Siling Tomb, which sits separately in the southwest corner. From site selection to design, great attention was paid to the harmony and unity with nature, pursuing a perfect situation of ‘made by God’ and reflecting the philosophy ‘the unity of heaven and humanity’. As outstanding representatives of the ancient Chinese mausoleum, the Ming Tomb China demonstrate the richness of traditional Chinese culture.
At present, only Changling Tomb, Dingling Tomb, Zhaoling Tomb and the Sacred Way are open to the public.
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Walking along the Sacred Way to the end, you can see the Changling Tomb built in 1409, where lie the third Emperor of Ming Dynasty, Emperor Zhu Di and his Empress Xu. It is the largest, original and the best preserved among the 13 Ming 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.
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 part is the stone Underground Palace, which was discovered between 1956 and 1958, and had a great deal of precious relics unearthed.
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.
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Tombs | Buriers |
Yongling | the 11th emperor of the Ming Dynasty Zhu Houcong and his three empresses |
Xianling | the 4th emperor Zhu Gaochi and Empress Zhang |
Qingling | the 14th emperor Zhu Changluo and his three empresses |
Maoling | the 8th emperor Zhu Jianshen and his three empresses |
Kangling | the 10th emperor Zhu Houzhao and Empress Xia |
Jingling | the 5th emperor Zhu Zhanji and Empress Sun |
Tailing | the 9th emperor Zhu Youtang and Empress Zhang |
Deling | the 15th emperor Zhu Youxiao and Empress Zhang |
Yuling | the 6th emperor Zhu Qizhen and his two empresses |
Siling | The 16th and last Ming emperor - Zhu Youjian and his Empress Zhou and Concubine Tian |
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How to get to Ming Tomb From Beijing
1. Take bus 872 from Deshengmen Bus Station to Dingling and Changling; the bus is available from 7:00 to 20:10.
2. Take bus 345 Express or 886 from Deshengmen West Station, get off at Changping Dongguan Station, and then take bus 314 to the Sacred Way (Nanxin Village Station), Dingling and Changling.
By Subway:
Take subway Changping Line to Changping Dongguan Station, then transfer to bus 314 to Changling or Dingling.
Notice that don't get off at Ming Tombs Subway Station, since since it is still 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) from the scenic area and you can only hire a local car and may be overcharged.
Beijing Bus / Subway Search
Ming Tombs Entrance Fee & Opening Hours
Entrance Fee | Opening Hours | |||
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Apr. - Oct. | Nov. - Mar. | Apr. - Oct. | Nov. - Mar. | |
Combo Ticket | CNY 130 | CNY 100 | - | - |
Dingling | CNY 60 | CNY 40 | 08:00 - 17:30 | 08:30 - 17:00 |
Changling | CNY 45 | CNY 30 | 08:00 - 17:00 | 08:30 - 16:30 |
Zhaoling | CNY 30 | CNY 20 | 08:30 - 17:00 | 08:30 - 16:30 |
Sacred Way | CNY 30 | CNY 20 | 08:10 - 17:50 | 08:30 - 17:00 |
Note: Free for children under 1.2m (3.9 ft). |
Recommended Ming Tombs Tour Routes
A popular itinerary for touring the Ming Tombs and the nearby attractions is recommended: Badaling Great Wall → Ming Emperors Wax Museum → Sacred Way → Dingling → Changling → Zhaoling
If you have only one day, you can omit some sites and go like this: Badaling Great Wall → Sacred Way → Changling
How to Visit Ming Tombs from Badaling Great Wall?
Bus 877 can take you from Deshengmen Bus Station to Badaling Great Wall. After touring the wall, you can take bus 879 to the Sacred Way (Nanxin Village Station), Dingling and Changling. Zhaoling is within walking distance.
Recommended Tours:
Best Beijing Tours: 4 days to Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, Badaling, Ming Tombs…
Hutong Experience : 5 days to Forbidden City, Summer Palace, Ming Tombs, Hutong…
Capital Highlights: 5 days small group to visit the most popular sites of Beijing Beijing Tours
Further Reading:
Top 10 Things to Do in Beijing
Top 10 Beijing Historical Sites You Should Not Miss
12 Best Places to Visit near Beijing

And also, curious about getting back to Beijing after visiting?
Thanks in advance for any help!



At the scenic area, there are many detailed English signs that you can easily find the direct. Don't worry.
After touring around, you can take a taxi to Changping Metro Station. Then take metro Changping Line and then transfer to other metro lines to back to downtown area.

1. what's the travelling time for bus 879 to reach the ming tombs from the badaling great wall of china?
2. what bus to take to go back to beijing?
3. what is the last bus timing?
thank you for taking the time off to answer my questions!



2. Where exactly will you go? You can take bus 872 from Nancincun station to Deshengmen station, then transfer to other line to your destination.
3. Bus 872 operates till 19:00.





How much time does it take?






I want to go to Ming's Tomb from Mutianyu
advise if sufficient time for these 2 places in 1day during end of Nov?




Thx


