Changling Tomb

Introduction 

Constructed by Emperor Zhudi also known as Emperor Yongle in his seventh year of power, in 1409 this Changling Tomb took a total of 18 years to be completed. This imperial tomb covers a ground of 120,000 square meters and is the largest of all other Ming Tombs. The Changling Tomb is located in Changping County, 40 kilometers from Beijing at the foot of Heavenly Longevity Hill; a location that followed the principle of Feng Shui which is meant to harmonize everyone with nature. The Emperor started by building his tomb and then other emperors followed suit and eventually there was a cluster of tombs in the same valley leading to its development into a Cultural Protection Unit and a 5A Scenic Spot. In 2003, it was UNESCO listed amongst other World Cultural Heritage sites. 

Other tombs are usually located 8 kilometers away from Changling Tomb and they all have a common layout with a square yard at the front and a round yard at the back. Each tomb has the main structure built in the axis with a huge temple on the ground from front to back in this order; the Front Gate to the tomb, the Gate of Eminent Favor, the Hall of Eminent Favors (LingEn Dian), the Dragon and the Phoenix Gate, Soul Tower and the Wall-Encircled Earth Mound.

Things to do and see on a visit

Ling En Gate

Ling En Gate is located in the second courtyard of Changling Tomb area and has white marble railings curved with phoenixes and dragon with three stone steps at the front and the back of the basement stone. The gate is 31 meters wide, 14 meters deep and 15 meters high. At the corners of its steps and under the railings of the gate are dragon head shaped stone drainages. The lower part of the carved stones is a surging sea in which mountains stand and two sea horses are leaping out and in the upper part, two vigorous dragons are flying up and down, chasing fire beads.

Ling En Hall

Ling En Hall was initially a place of worship for the heirs of Emperor Yongle. It is 66 meters wide and 29.12 meters long. In the middle of the hall is a copper statue of Emperor Yongle on the throne decorated with nine dragons and the hall is the largest Nan wood building in China. It is supported by 60 wooden columns made of precious Nan wood. This is a special brand of wood originally found in the mountains in the southern part of China. The wood is believed to dispel mosquitoes during summer. The hall is set on a three story high pedestal of white marble and its ceiling is colorfully painted and supported by sixteen solid Nan wood, being 13 meters high and 1.1 meters wide and the floor is covered with golden bricks. 

The Hall now serves as a museum for precious artifacts found in the imperial coffins as well as an indispensable source of material for study about Ming’s architectural design. In addition, there is a portrait of Emperor Zhu Di and Empress Xu. In another picture is a list of achievements that Emperor Zhudi achieved including moving the capital to Beijing, organizing scholars to compile the Yongle Encyclopedia, constructing the Forbidden City and dispatching Zheng He to sail to the Atlantic. The palace also displays a live video of the underground excavation, which enlightens visitors on how to unlock the mystery of the underground palace.

Stele Pavilion

In the courtyard inside a double eave and hip pavilion stands a perfectly preserved dragon stele built in the 21st year during Emperor Jiajing’s reign. The dragon stele poses like a turtle yet it is a crawling dragon whose body is covered with protruding scales. There were no inscriptions on the stele except those written by three Qing Emperors. 

Treasure City

This is the back portion of Changling Tomb which when seen from above looks like an enclosed circular castle with a diameter of 300 meters. It is inside this 'city' that Emperor Zhu Di and Empress Xu were buried.

Divine Burner

There are two yellow glazed pottery burners that were used for burning silver ingots, prayer paper made of gold after sacrificial ceremonies.