Zhaoling Tomb is situated at the eastern foot of Dayu Mountain in Changping District, Beijing, adjacent to the Dingling Tomb, and serves as the joint burial tomb of the twelfth emperor of the Ming Dynasty, Emperor Zhu Zaihou (Muzong), and his three empresses. Among the thirteen tombs, Zhaoling’s scale is considered moderate, yet it appears more exquisite and grand compared to the treasure cities of the Tai and Kang tombs.
Its spirit road branches off from the Qikong Bridge north of Changling’s spirit road, extending approximately 2 kilometers to the west. Near the tomb, a stele pavilion is constructed, followed by three parallel single-span stone bridges. The overall layout of the tomb palace is square in the front and round at the back, with two courtyards in front of the treasure city. Beneath the square city, there is a passageway, and additionally, there are Ling’en Hall, five side halls, and three Ling’en gates. A significant feature of Zhaoling is the pioneering of a complete ‘mute courtyard’ system. The filled earth within its treasure city is particularly full, almost as high as the treasure city walls. In the center, a rammed earth tomb mound is constructed, with a brick wall in front blocking it, connecting with the inner walls of the treasure city on both sides of the square city, forming a closed crescent-shaped courtyard. Today, when we visit Zhaoling, we can see the restored Ling’en Hall, Ling’en Gate, two side halls, Spirit Merit and Holy Virtue Stele Pavilion, Slaughter Pavilion, Divine Kitchen, and Divine Storehouse. Additionally, the left and right side halls feature the ‘Historical Exhibition of Emperor and Empress of Zhaoling’ and ‘Historical Exhibition of Tombs of Ming Dynasty Royalty’, detailing the related deeds of Zhu Zaihou and his three empresses, as well as the tomb regulations of Ming Dynasty princes and concubines. Opening hours are from 08:30 to 18:00 all year round. Preferential policies include free admission for children under 6 years old or under 1.2 meters in height, free admission for active-duty military personnel and firefighters with valid identification (military security cards are not valid), free admission for disabled persons (including military disabled) with a valid disability certificate or military disability certificate, free admission for retired personnel with valid identification, free admission for those with a formal Beijing Tong – Elderly and Disabled Assistance Card; those with a temporary card must also present their ID card, free admission for seniors over 60 years old with valid identification, half-price for students aged 6 to 18 and full-time undergraduate students and below (excluding adult education) with valid identification, half-price for social security recipients with a social security benefit certificate, and half-price for teenagers from Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan with valid identification such as the ‘Hong Kong and Macao Residents Traveling to Mainland Pass’, ‘Taiwan Residents Traveling to Mainland Pass’, or student ID card.Zhaoling Tomb
Zhaoling Tomb is situated at the eastern foot of Dayu Mountain in Changping District, Beijing, adjacent to the Dingling Tomb, […]
