Nanjing - Purple Mountain - Ming Tombs - Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum

This is the Ming Tombs section on the southern foot of Purple Mountain. 

Cross the bridge and head to Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum. 

The Xiaoling of Ming Dynasty is the largest imperial tombs in China.

Emperor Hongwu (personal name was Zhu Zhangyang), the 1st emperor of the Ming Dynasty and Queen Ma were buried here. This mausoleum was completed in 1431.

Great Golden Gate - Da Jin Men

Grand entrance to the mausoleum

The Wardrobe Hall used to be on this land.

"The Wardrobe Hall, where the emperor dressed up for sacrificial rites, is an important auxiliary sacrificial building in the tomb palace."

In this yard, there used to be 2 wells sheltered under pavilions in the Ming Dynasty. This western well is the only one preserved. The eastern one has been destroyed. During the Ming Dynasty, water was drawn from these wells for cleaning sacrificial animals and cooking meals for the imperial court.

The Western Hall used to be sitting on top of this platform.

Sacrificial Censer

The door to the censer leads to a small chamber for sacrificial burning

Sifangcheng Pavilion

A giant stone tortoise resides here. This tortoise supports a huge carved stone stele; a well preserved stele known as the Shengong Shengde Stele. The inscription on the stele, extolling the merits and virtues of Emperor Hongwu, was written by his 4th son, Emperor Yongle.

Sifangcheng Pavilion

Sacrificial Hall

Also known as Xiaoling Hall, is one of the main buildings in the Ming Tombs. It was built in the 16th year under the reign of Emperor Hongwu for the memorial tablets of himself and his empress and concubines.

This huge wooden structure was under refurbishment when we were there.

Ancient wall

105 year old Osmanthus tree

Sacrificial Hall - under refurbishment

Ming Tower

It is built atop the citadel; a commanding point among all buildings of the Ming Tombs.

Walking through the wall of the fortress

Walking up to Ming Tower

Ascension Bridge

57.5 meters long and 26.6 meters wide

A single-arched stone bridge with carved stone railings

Osmanthus sprinkles on the earth