50 kilometers northwest from Beijing City lies the Ming Tombs - the general name given to the mausoleums of 13 emperors of the Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644). The mausoleums have been perfectly preserved, as has the necropolis of each of the many emperors. Because of its long history, palatial and integrated architecture, the site has a high cultural and historic value. The layout and arrangement of all thirteen mausoleums are very similar but vary in size as well as in the complexity of their structures.

It was originally built only as Changling, the tomb of Emperor Zhuli and his empresses. This is the most magnificent of the tombs. The succeeding twelve emperors had their tombs built around Changling.

You walk in the gate, then go through gates and the tomb is right at the back.

The tomb was just a huge mound of land, and noone knows where he is actually buried. He also took 20 concubines with him who had to sacrifice their lives once they went into the tomb. Everything is very rich and opulent and fantastic.

Color and decoration is everywhere and it was a total awesome experience.