The burial site of 13 of the 16 Ming dynasty emperors, located in a valley surrounded by mountains 50 km north of Beijing. The complex covers 40 square kilometres and was designed as a sacred landscape: the Spirit Way approach road, lined with stone figures, leads into the valley where the tomb mounds and their underground chambers are distributed. Only three of the thirteen tombs are open to visitors.
Changling, the tomb of the Yongle Emperor who built the Forbidden City, has the most impressive above-ground structures. Dingling, the tomb of Wanli Emperor, is the only one to have been excavated, with its underground burial chamber open for descent. Combine with a visit to Mutianyu Great Wall; both are in the same northern corridor from Beijing and tour drivers know the route.