The Ming Tomb(Chang)

 The Ming Tombs are about 50 kilometers from Beijing at Tianshou Mountain. They were built within a natural basin, butted on two sides by the Yanshan mountain range, which was said to stop winds carrying evil spirits into the area. Of the sixteen Ming Emperors, thirteen are buried in this complex. Visitors are greeted on arrival by an exquisite five-arched white marble gate. Built in 1540, it is still in near perfect condition with its delicate carvings of lions and dragons still as crisp and breathtaking as ever. After about a 15 minute walk there is the Great Red gate which leads into the tomb system and the 7 kilometer long Sacred Way, to the Tomb of Emperor Yongle, who reigned between 1403 and 1424.
 
Standing in the centre of the sacred way is a large pavilion, called the Avenue of Animals, on which rests a collection of enormous stone statues including a huge stone tortoise, a pairs of lions, elephants and camels. Along the sides of the path are lines of horses and a number of mythological beasts. There are then 12 human statues that represent the deceased Emperors funeral bearers. Carved in 1540, this group is comprised of military officers and worthy officials. Just beyond these statues is the Dragon and Phoenix Gate.  On the way to the Changling, the Sacred Way crosses a river via two bridges, one of five and the other of seven arches. At this terminal point all 13 tombs can be seen in all their splendor. Hills and groves of trees stretch across the valley floor, intermittent golden tiles providing splashes of color, creating an eternal tapestry of solemn reverence. Changling is the largest and best preserved of the tombs. Built on a south-facing slope, the Changling??s three courtyards are entirely surrounded by walls. The first courtyard extends from the massive three-arched entrance gate to the Gate of Eminent Favor.
 
On the east of this courtyard stands a pavilion, containing an ancient stone tablet and statues of camels and dragons. Inside the second courtyard stands the Hall of Eminent Favor. The central stairway, which leads up to this great hall is carved with designs of sea beasts and dragons. To the east and west of the hall stand two ritual stoves where bolts of silk and inscribed scrolls were set aflame as offerings to the emperor??s ancestors. The dimensions of the Hall of Eminent Favor closely match the dimensions of the Hall of Supreme Harmony in the Forbidden City, which makes it one of the largest wooden buildings in China. Four giant wooden columns and 28 smaller pillars support this structure, The four large columns are extraordinary for the fact that they are each a single trunk of Phoebe nanmu.
Date:2008-3-29