Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum Travel Guide

Brief Introduction
Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum is located at the southern slope of the Zhongshan Mountain of Nanjing. It is the mausoleum of the first emperor of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), Zhu Yuanzhang, and the empress Ma.

It is the largest among the mausoleums of the emperors of the Ming Dynasty. Construction of the mausoleum began in 1381 and was completed in 1431.

The mausoleum has two discreet sections: the Sacred Way area and the main body of the mausoleum itself. At the entrance to the mausoleum, you will see the Dismounting Archway. As a gesture of deep respect, visitors would discount their horses and sedans at this point. Although most of the ground buildings were destroyed during wars, the former splendor can still be seen from the existing wide approach, 800-meter-long, that leads to the mausoleum, flanked on both sides by giant stone statues of warriors and animals.

Features
Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum is famous for its unique design, its eminent status, its amazing beauty and its magnificent scale. It´s the milestone in the historical development of Chinese mausoleums. As an extension of the ´Imperial Tombs of the Ming and Qing Dynasties, it is listed by UNESCO as a world cultural heritage site.