Ming Xiaoling Tomb in Nanjing

Ming Xiaoling Tomb in Nanjing

Xiaoling Mausoleum of Ming Dynasty (Mingxiaoling) is one of the biggest imperial tombs in China. Xiaoling Mausoleum is renowned for its unique design, its eminent status, its amazing beauty and its magnificent scale.

Type: National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit, National Tourist Attraction
English Name : Ming Xiaoling Tomb, Ming Tomb、Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum
Chinese Name : 明孝陵 
Address: No.7, Shixiang Road, Xuanwu District, Nanjing(南京市玄武区石象路7号)
Opening hours: 06:30-18:30, March 1-November 30; 07:00-17:30, December 1-February 29 of the following year; 9:00-17:00, Xiaoling Museum, Ming Dynasty (closed at 16:30)
Admission: 70 RMB
Recommended Travel Time: 2-4 hours
The Best Season For Visiting: spring and Autumn

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Ming Xiaoling Tomb

It lies at the southern foot of Purple Mountain, in the east of the historical centre of Nanjing, China. Construction of the Xiaoling Mausoleum of Ming Dynasty began in 1381 and was completed in 1431. Emperor Chengzu, Zhu Yuanzhang, the first emperor of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) and Queen Ma were buried there. Emperor Chengzu had bestowed upon her the title ‘Queen of Xiao Ci’ which means ‘Queen of Filial Piety and Kindness.’ Hence, the name Xiaoling derives from her title. On July 3, 2003, Xiao-ling Mausoleum was inscribed on the list of World Heritage by UNESCO.

Why is Ming Xiaoling Tomb so Special?

Xiaoling Mausoleum of Ming Dynasty (Mingxiaoling) is one of the biggest imperial tombs in China. Xiaoling Mausoleum is renowned for its unique design, its eminent status, its amazing beauty and its magnificent scale. Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum/Tomb embodies the ancient Chinese philosophic thinking of “unity of humans and the universe”. It’s the milestone in the historical development of Chinese mausoleums.

Main Attractions of  Ming Xiaoling Tomb

Xiaoling Mausoleum of Ming Dynasty has two discreet sections: One is the Sacred Way area and the other is the main body of the mausoleum itself. main buildings of the mausoleum includes Xiama Lane, Da Jin Men (Great golden gate), Sifangcheng(Square City), Shengong Shengde Stele (The Stele of Godly Merit and Saintly Virtue), Minglou Building, Treasure City, Bao-ding, etc..

Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum is around 2.62 km deep and 2.62 wide, then the main mausoleum buildings were surrounded by a red wall with a 2.25 km long perimeter. Having gone through 600 years of vicissitudes, many wooden structures inside buildings were destroyed. But the layout of the tomb and the pattern of the buildings still remain the original grand style. And luckily, underground palace of the tomb is intact.

The Sacred Way

The Sacred Way is an 1,800-meter long Sacred Way in Xiaoling Mausoleum of Ming Dynasty. It includes several sections: the Elephant Road and the Wengzhong Road. Its middle section runs east-west and is called Shi Xiang Road, which is lined by 12 pairs of 6 kinds of animals (lions, xiezhi, camels, elephants, qilin, and horses), guarding the tomb. Each animal is postured differently and each conveys an auspicious meaning. For example, the lions, king of the animals, show the stateliness of the emperors, the camels, symbol of desert and tropical areas, indicate the vast territory of the dynasty and the elephants imply that the policies of the dynasty are to meet the desire of the grass root and the stabilization of the dynasty.Beyond the animals is a pair of decorative columns called Hua Biao that are carved with dragons.

One then continues along the Wengzhong Road. Four pairs of ministers and generals (or warrior guardian figures, wengzhong) of stone have been standing there for centuries to guard the journey to the after life.

How to get to Ming Xiaoling Tomb

Travel with ChinaDragonTours (top recommended)

If you want to get out of the traffic and hassle of navigation, you can book a private tour package that includes visiting, dining and transfer from us. Our local guide and driver will escort you to the Ming Xiaoling Tomb and most convenient way and take care of all the details. You just have to focus on the visiting.

Independent Traveler

  • By Bus:
    Take Nanjing bus No. 20, 203 and 315 to Xiaoling station. 
  • Take Nanjing Metro Line 2, get off at Meicaoyuan station in Ming Xiaoling, and walk out to Ming Xiaoling scenic spot.

Nearby Attractions

Edited by Winnie/张赢