Ming Dynasty Xiaoling Tomb, Nanjing

Proposed World Heritage Classification: Cultural Site (Extension Project of the Imperial Tombs of the Ming and Qing Dynasties)

Location: Nanjing

 

Xiaoling Gate

Situated on the southern slope of Purple Mountain, Nanjing, the Xiaoling Tomb is the resting place of the Emperor Zhu Yuan Zhang, who founded the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). It dates back over six hundred years and covers an area of 2,970 hectares.

The Xiaoling Tomb is the biggest of the Ming tombs and its layout was followed in the thirteen Ming tombs in Beijing. Most of its buildings were destroyed in wars and only part of the brick and stone structures remains. Part of the Tomb was rebuilt during the Qing Dynasty and although the style was changed, the grand manner of the original construction remains evident.

The major structures at the Xiaoling Tomb include: Archway for Dismounting, Great Golden Gate, Tower of the Stele of Great Merits, Sacred Way, Stone Animals and Figures, the Ling Xing Gate, Five Dragon Bridge, Ling Gong Gate, Stele Pavilion, Xiang Hall, Soul Tower, Square City, Baocheng (Precious Hall).

Outstanding Feature: The first imperial tomb of the Ming dynasty

 

 

Archway for Dismounting

Tower of the Stele of Great Merits

The Main Scenic Spots:

Archway for Dismounting

The Archway consists of two stone archways based on columns 5 metres wide and 7.8 metres high.

 

Great Golden Gate

The Great Golden Gate originally functioned as the major gate into the mausoleum. It is 22 metres wide and 5 metres high with three entrances. The top section of the gate has been destroyed, together with the 22.5 km wall that originally surrounded the tomb area.
 

Tower of the Stele of Great Merits

The square tower lies about 70 metres north of the Great Golden Gate, where the “Da Ming Xiao Ling Shen Gong Sheng De Bei” (Stele Eulogising the Great Achievements of Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang) is located. The 6.7 metre high stele stands on a base in the form of large stone tortoise 2.08 metres high.
 

Great Golden Gate

Sacred Way

The Sacred Way is a winding path stretching 868 metres and flanked by stone animals and figures with the Ling Xing Gate at the end.

Stone Animals and Figures: Halfway along the Sacred Way, there are human and animal figures in stone. There are twelve pairs of animals to guard the tomb: lions, unicorns, griffins, camels, elephants and horses. Further ahead there is a pair of decorative columns called Wangzhu in Chinese. Four pairs of ministers and generals carved in stone have been standing there for centuries to accompany their master who lies beneath.

Ling Xing Gate: Ling Xing Gate is located at the end of the Sacred Way. Originally, it had three gates with two walls in between, but all that remains now are the foundations.
 

Ling Gong Gate

The Ling Gong Gate underwent extensive restoration during the Qing dynasty. The gate visible now is a replica of the original constructed in the Ming dynasty, with a triple-arched entrances.
 

Xiang Palace

Originally called Xiaoling Palace, most of Xiang Palace has been destroyed. It was rebuilt on a smaller scale than the original, with significant alterations, during the reign of Qing Emperor Tongzhi.

A central gate, called the Xiaoling Gate, originally stood in front of Xiang Palace, but this was destroyed and in its place a stele pavilion was built in the Qing dynasty. This contains five steles, one of which has an inscription by Emperor Kangxi and one of which has a poem by Emperor Qianlong.
 

Sacred Way

 

Rectangular City and Soul Tower

Fangcheng (the rectangular city) was a pavilion where a splendid carved stone stele in memory of Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang was enshrined, with an inscription of a hymn by his fourth son. Now, the top of the pavilion has gone.

The base of the Rectangular City is shaped like Buddha’s seat with an arched passageway in the middle leading directly through the bottom of the Square City to the front wall of Baocheng (Precious Hall). Here, it divides into two paths leading up to the Soul Tower on top of Precious Hall.

The Soul Tower faces south with three arched entrances facing east, west and north respectively. The roof of the Soul Tower has collapsed over the years, but the walls remain.
 

Baocheng (Precious Hall)

Located at the back of the Mausoleum Palace, Precious Hall is the tomb of Emperor Zhu Yuan Zhang. The clay vault, which is 325-400 metres in diameter, is where the emperor and his queen were buried.  

The entire layout of Xiaoling Tomb resembles the shape of the Ursa Major constellation, reflecting this ancient civilisation’s hope for unification between celestial and terrestrial beings.

Soul Tower - Xiaoling Mausoleum