Ming Tombs

Necropolis of the Ming dynasty. State visit to China. Beijing (April 29 2010)

“We have been around the sun,” Carla says. The ‘sun’ is the circle formed by the Ming tombs, containing the remains of 13 out of 16 Ming emperors. In addition, 23 empresses, one high-ranking concubine and several consort concubines lie in this shrine to the Ming dynasty (1368-1644). Situated to the northeast of Beijing, the site is spread over 40 square kilometres, but only three tombs can be visited. Along with the Great Wall, it constitutes one of the high points of the presidential couple’s visit to China. Since 2003 the Ming tombs have been on the UNESCO world heritage list.