The Ming Dynasty Tombs are located some 50 kilometers due North of Beijing at a specially selected site. The site was chosen by the third Ming Dynasty emperor Yongle (1402-1424), who moved the capital of China from Nanjing to the present location of northwest Beijing.

During the Ming dynasty, the tombs were off limits to commoners but in 1644 Li Zicheng's army ransacked and set many of the tombs on fire before advancing and capturing Beijing in April of that year.

The site of the Ming Dynasty Imperial Tombs was carefully chosen according to Feng Shui (geomancy) principles. According to these, bad spirits and evil winds descending from the North must be deflected.

The Ming Tombs were listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in August 2003. They were listed along with other tombs under the "Imperial Tombs of the Ming and Qing Dynasties" designation.

Travel info:

Address: Tianshou Hill, Yanshan Mountain, Changping District

Entry ticket: Dingling 60 yuan (midseason); 40 yuan (low-season);

Changling: 30 yuan (low-season); 45 yuan (midseason)

Zhaoling: 20 yuan

Shenlu: 20 yuan (midseason); 15 yuan (low-season);

Opening hours: 8:30-17:30

Transportation: Tour Bus No. 1, 1zhi, 2, 2zhi, 3, 3zhi, 4, 5, 5zhi; City railway to Lishuiqiao Stop

Tel: 010-60761424; 010-60761888; 010-60763104; 010-89749383

Website: http://www.mingtombs.com

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