Deep within the earth lies secrets untold. Today we explore Tailing Tomb.
Tailing Tomb is located in Beijing. It holds the remains of Emperor Xiao Zong. His name was Zhu Youtang. Tailing is one of thirteen Ming Dynasty imperial tombs. These tombs are scattered over forty square kilometers. This area is in Changping District. It is northwest of Beijing.
Construction of these Ming tombs spanned over two hundred years. The first tomb was built in 1409. The last one was built in 1644. The magnificent Yanshan Mountain encircles the tombs on three sides. It runs from west to east.
The Ming Dynasty was founded by Zhu Yuanzhang. He made Nanjing his capital. He was buried in Xiaoling in Nanjing after his death. The second emperor was Zhu Yunwen. Zhu Di, the Prince of Yan, seized the throne for himself. After a war, Zhu Di occupied Nanjing and became emperor.
Emperor Cheng Zu, also known as Zhu Di, ascended to the throne. He changed his reign title to Yong Le. He recognized the strategic importance of Beijing. In 1406, one million laborers were sent to begin building projects in Beijing. Empress Xu died. Emperor Zhu Di sent officials north. They were to choose auspicious sites for imperial burial grounds.
In 1409, the burial grounds were selected. Emperor Zhu Di visited the site himself. He found a vast area with good soil and ringed by hills. He dedicated forty square kilometers to the necropolis. Construction of the Changling Mausoleum began.
The area was not only beautiful. It was also in an excellent military position. The mountains provided a natural defense. Changling was the first imperial tomb in this area. It was built at the foot of Tianshou Mountain.
The scale and grandeur of imperial mausoleums often depended on seniority. But the Thirteen Ming Tombs did not always follow this rule. Some tombs for descendants are larger than those of their ancestors.
The tombs of Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang and Emperor Zhu Di were built on a grand scale. Later, some imperial tombs of descendants also reached that scale. A tomb built during an emperor’s lifetime was often grand. Tomb construction was supervised by the emperor.
The layout of the Thirteen Ming Tombs in Beijing is similar to Xiaoling Mausoleum in Nanjing. The spirit path stretches seven kilometers. It symbolizes the dignity of the emperors.
In front of the mausoleum gate is a huge marble archway. It was built in 1540. The archway is twenty-nine meters wide. It is supported by six marble pillars. The pedestals are decorated with carvings of dragons and clouds.
One kilometer from the archway is the Great Palace Gate. It faces south. There are tablets on each side of the gate. They prohibit entering without official permission. Anyone entering the area had to dismount before the gate.
Inside the gate is the tablet pavilion. It has a double eave roof. Inside the pavilion is a tall stele. The front of the tablet bears a 3,000-word inscription. The stele rests on the back of a huge stone tortoise.
Beyond the stele pavilion is an 8,000-meter-long spirit path. Along both sides are stone animals and human figures. These stone carvings are wonderful ancient art objects. They were built more than five hundred years ago.
At the end of the sculpture avenue is the Lattice Gate. It is also called the Dragon and Phoenix Gate. At the end of the spirit path is a Seven-Arch Stone Bridge.
Every mausoleum has architectural characteristics of its own. Each mausoleum is surrounded by walls. Inside is the Hall of Prominent Favor. Behind the hall is the tomb mound. In front of the mound stands the Soul Tower.
All halls in the Ming tombs were built with nanmu. The timber came from mountains in southwest China. Special groups were sent to collect nanmu. Many lumbermen died in these mountains.
Bricks used in Ming Tombs were also special. Each brick weighted about 25 kilograms. Large quantities of stone were used during construction. White marble was used for carving.
Today, Tailing Tomb stands as a testament to the Ming Dynasty. It showcases their power, artistry, and beliefs about the afterlife. As we leave Tailing Tomb, reflect on the emperors who rest here. Their stories echo through the ages.