Atlas of China
Ming Ancestors Mausoleum 明祖陵Míng Zǔlíng
4A scenic area · National heritage site · Huai'an, Jiangsu
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Days to budget
- Half a day
- City
- Huai'an
- Region
- Jiangsu
- Type
- Heritage
- Listed as
- 4A scenic area, National heritage site
About Ming Ancestors Mausoleum
The first imperial tomb of the Ming dynasty, built from 1386 to about 1413 by the Hongwu Emperor and his son the Yongle Emperor beside Hongze Lake for the founder's grandfather, great-grandfather and great-great-grandfather; only the grandfather is actually buried here. Swamped by the lake around 1680 together with the city of Sizhou, it re-emerged in the 1960s and is now ringed by a protective embankment. The main sight is the spirit way lined with Ming stone statues of qilin, lions and other figures and carved pillars, while the burial chamber lies under a pond at its end and the halls survive only as foundations.
How to get to Ming Ancestors Mausoleum
In Huaihe town north of the Huai River, about 12 km north-west of Xuyi town; by car.
Nearby
Also within 20 km: Diyishan (First Mountain) and its Inscriptions 第一山 (under 10 km).
On the map
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