Ming Tombs

The Ming Dynasty Tombs is an area where 13 emperors from the Ming dynasty were buried. It is 31 miles from Beijing city and the area is very large, a total of 46 square miles. The first emperor was buried here in 1409 and the last 230 years later. In total there are 13 emperors, 23 empresses, 2 princes, more than 30 imperial wives and a eunuch (servant to the emperor). There are more imperial tombs but this is the very best preserved.

The Ming Tombs are a group of buildings but each of the tombs is independent and has its own characteristic style. Each grave is built at the foot of a hill and the distance between the graves are between 1600 feet and 5 miles.

It has been more than 500 years since the tombs were built but they are extremely well preserved. It shows not only how luxurious emperors lived, but is also of great importance to the archeologists that everything remains just as when it was built.