The Imperial Tombs of the Ming and Qing Dynasties are four groups of tombs in four provinces of eastern China,Hubei, Hebei, Jiangsu and Beijing. The tombs, designed in keeping with the Chinese principles of geomancy (feng-shui), provide outstanding evidence of Chinese beliefs and traditions from the 14th century onwards and are significant examples of architecture and applied arts from that period. They illustrate the continuity over five centuries of a world view and concept of power specific to feudal China.

One of the justifications for inscription reads: "The Ming and Qing Tombs are dazzling illustrations of the beliefs, world view, and geomantic theories of Fengshui prevalent in feudal China. They have served as burial edifices for illustrious personages and as the theatre for major events that have marked the history of China."

During the Ming Dynasty established by Han Chinese coming from an agricultural society in central China, where people believed the existence of an after-world, where the dead "lived" a life similar to that of the living. Ming emperors, therefore, have grand mausoleums built for themselves. Qing rulers did likewise.

Tombs of Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644)

Sixteen emperors ruled the Ming Dynasty from 1368 to 1644 over 277 years. Zhu Yuanzhang established the MingDynasty with its capital in Yingtianfu.In 1644, Zhu Youjian, the last emperor of the Ming Dynasty, hanged himself when a peasant army took over Beijing. He was buried in the tomb of Lady Tian, one of his concubines.

The Ming court built 14 tombs near Beijing city. But the tomb of Emperor Jing Di is located at JinshanMountain in the western outskirts of Beijing. There are 13 tombs in Changping County, commonlyknown today as the "Thirteen Ming Tombs".

The Ming Tombs are 50 kilometers northwest from Beijing proper. Tianshou Mountain where the tombof Emperor Yong Le is located is the main peak. Mountain peaks to its east, west and north form asemicircle with a flat basin inside. Mangshan and Hushan mountains to the south stand like two guards atthe front gate. Further south is a broad flat plain. The Wenyu River flows by from the northwest. Theentire cemetery, 40 kilometers around, keeps the remains of 13 emperors, 23 empresses and manyimperial concubines, princes and princesses.

Xian Tomb is the burial site for Prince Xingxian and his wife, parents of Emperor Jiaqing (reigned 1522-66). They were buried together at Mt. Songlin in present Zhongxiang County, Hubei Province. The tomb occupies an area of 136.47 hectares and is hemmed in by high walls. Started in 1519 and completed in 1540, the Xian Tomb resembles the Ming Tombs near Beijing, but it takes up more space. It is the only Ming Tomb found in southern China and is often referred to as the 15th Ming Tomb. The Xian Tomb was put under key state protection in 1985.

The exhibition objects of this dynasty came from the Dingling Tomb of the Wanli Emperor and from the Imperial Household. The tomb, one of thirteen in the area, is an elaborate series of chambers and halls. The necropolis is approached by a 1,155 yard long sacred way lined with marble memorial pillars and sculptures of animals and human figures. At present only the tomb of the Wanli Emperor has been excavated and 2,648 funerary objects have been removed, including the spectacular headdress with the design of nine dragons and nine phoenixes of Empress Xiaoduan. Also in the exhibition there are several examples of Ming porcelain, including an example of the classic blue and white wares. The porcelains of this period are considered to be among the finest achievements in Chinese art. Although not a tomb piece, the Golden Pagoda on Stone Base is one of the few Buddhist works in the exhibition. It was excavated from an underground vault of a pagoda and reflects the spiritual life and faith in Buddhism that continued to flourish during this time.

Tombs of Qing Dynasty (1644 - 1911)

The Qing emperors are buried in three cemeteries: the Three Early Qing Tombs, Eastern Qing Tombs and Western Qing Tombs.

The Three Early Qing tombs are Yongling, Fuling and Zhaoling. Their plan and design show clear features of Northeast China and the early Manchu customs.

The Eastern Qing Tombs are located at Malanyu in Zunhua County in Hebei Province, 125 kilometers to the east of Beijing. They are one of the best preserved burial grounds in China. Its layout and buildings are well blended with the surrounding landscape. The Changrui Mountains rise behind the cemetery; the Yingfeidaoyang Mountains undulate to its east; the Huanghua Mountains rise high on its west; and the Jinxing Mountains stand on the south like a sheltering screen. Further south Tiantai Mountain and Yandun Mountain form an entrance to the cemetery which is called Xinglingkou and to which all the water in the vicinity flow to form the Xida River.

The Western Qing Tombs are located in Yixian County, Hebei Province, 130 kilometers to the west of Beijing. The imperial burial cemetery borders on Qifengling Mountain in the north, Dayan Bridge in the south, Xiadu of Yan (capital of Yan State in the third century B.C.) in the east and Zijingguan Pass of the Great Wall in the west. On this 800-square-kilometer ground there are many mountain peaks covered with ancient pine and cypress trees and rivers lined with sweeping willow trees. "Eight Natural Sights" such as "Purple Glow at Zijingguan Pass", "Turbulent Current of Juma River" and "Cold Water of Yishui River" have been known since ancient times.

The Qing Dynasty, China's last feudal empire, was founded by the Manchus from Northeast China.The Qing Dynasty lasted for 295 years until 1912 when its last emperor Puyi abdicated. Altogether 12 emperors ruled the Qing Dynasty.