If you’re planning to visit Beijing and want to explore the Ming Tombs in a day, this detailed one-day itinerary offers a comprehensive guide to the best tombs, key highlights, and practical tips for getting around. Located just outside the city, the Ming Tombs are home to the tombs of 13 Ming emperors and offer a unique look into China’s imperial history. From the grandeur of the mausoleums to the serene landscapes, this guide will help you make the most of your visit.
First Stop: Sacred Way (神道) – 40 Minutes of Immersive History
Start your journey by taking a bus that connects to the 872 line, a convenient route to the Ming Tombs area. Depending on your accommodation, choose the nearest station that connects to the 872 bus. The first stop will be the Sacred Way (神道), the entrance to the Ming Tombs. This pathway, lined with magnificent stone statues of animals and officials, stretches for about 1.5 kilometers and leads you to the tombs. Allow around 40 minutes to leisurely stroll and admire the detailed carvings. Each statue along the Sacred Way is an important symbol of the Ming Dynasty’s imperial power, and it’s worth taking time to observe the intricacies of the sculptures.
Second Stop: Changling Tomb (长陵) – 1 Hour of Majestic Architecture
After exploring the Sacred Way, turn right and take a bus to Changling Tomb. This tomb is one of the most important in the Ming Tombs complex and is the burial site of Emperor Yongle, who moved the capital to Beijing. Allow about 1 hour to explore this tomb. The main hall inside Changling is particularly impressive with its enormous golden silk nanmu wood pillars, numbering 60 in total. These ancient, towering pillars give the hall a grand and awe-inspiring atmosphere, making it one of the best photo spots in the complex.
In addition to the stunning architecture, there are numerous historical exhibits within the tomb, but many of them are reproductions. If you’re in a rush, you might choose to skip these and focus on the architectural beauty instead. If you have more time, take a stroll around the surrounding area, which is filled with lush vegetation. Changling’s setting, with its greenery and vast space, is perfect for capturing beautiful light during the late afternoon.
Third Stop: Dingling Tomb (定陵) – 2 Hours of Exploration
Next, take the bus from Changling to Dingling Tomb, where you can spend around 2 hours exploring this unique tomb. Dingling is the only tomb in the Ming Tombs complex that has an open underground palace. The underground chambers provide a rare and atmospheric experience. As you descend into the tomb, you’ll notice a distinct drop in temperature and a vast space filled with cold stone walls. The chambers are grand and hauntingly quiet, offering an immersive feel of what it might have been like to be in an emperor’s final resting place.
The tomb includes the imperial palace furniture, including couches and coffins of the emperor and empress. While the underground chambers themselves are not filled with treasures, the experience of being “underground” in a real imperial tomb is unforgettable. A visit to the Ming Tower offers stunning views of the surrounding area. The exhibition halls next to the underground chambers showcase various artifacts from the Ming Dynasty, including the Thirteen Dragons and Nine Phoenix Crowns. These objects are of great historical significance, and exploring them before entering the tomb adds depth to your understanding.
Dingling is also famous for the friendly cats that roam the grounds, and if you’re lucky, you may have the opportunity to feed them. However, be sure to choose a sunny time for your visit, as the cats are more active in the warm sunlight.
Fourth Stop: Zhaoling Tomb (昭陵) – Hidden Village Charm
From Dingling, walk straight to the exit and take the bus to Zhaoling Tomb, which is situated in a quiet, almost hidden village. As you get off the bus, look for the golden tiles of the Ming Tower, a beacon that will lead you through the village. Zhaoling is often regarded as the least impressive of the Ming Tombs, and many tourists tend to skip it. However, Zhaoling offers two unique features that make it worth a visit.
First, Zhaoling has the most flexible exploration routes. Unlike the other tombs, this one doesn’t have strict boundaries or crowded paths. You can explore the tombs and the surrounding area at your own pace. The back of the Ming Tower offers a fascinating path along stone walls, offering a unique perspective of the site. The peaceful, uncrowded nature of Zhaoling makes it a perfect place for photographers, particularly those who enjoy capturing natural light.
Second, the nearby village adds charm to your visit. The ancient houses, worn but picturesque lighthouses, and the Guandi Temple (which you can only admire from a distance) offer a serene experience. The village has a quiet, nostalgic ambiance, and you’ll find yourself appreciating the stillness and simplicity of rural life as you walk through.
Final Stop: Returning to the City
After completing your visits to the Ming Tombs, return to the area where you initially alighted from the bus. Take the Chang78 bus back to the Daming Gate or take the 872 bus for a more direct route back to the city. This is an easy and comfortable way to wrap up your day.