Zhu Yuanzhang (1328–1398), the founding emperor of the Ming dynasty, was buried in the tomb of Míng Xiàolíng; he was the only Ming emperor buried outside Bějīng. The area surrounding the tomb is the Míng Xiàolíng Scenic Area . Near the entrance, Plum Blossom Hill (梅花山; Méihuā Shān ) is delightfully garlanded with flowering plum blossoms in spring. A tree-lined pathway winds around pavilions and picnic grounds and ends at scenic Zǐxiá Lake , ideal for strolling.
The first section of this magnificent mausoleum is a 618m ‘spirit path’, lined with stone statues of lions, camels, elephants and horses that drive away evil spirits and guard the tomb. Among them lurks two mythical animals: a xiè zhì, which has a mane and a single horn on its head, and a qílín, which has a scaly body, a cow’s tail, a deer’s hooves and one horn.
As you enter the first courtyard, a paved pathway leads to a pavilion housing several stelae. The next gate leads to a large courtyard with the Línghún Pagoda (Línghún Tǎ ), a mammoth rectangular stone structure. Follow the crowds through a long uphill tunnel to a wall (which children and visitors clamber up!) and a huge earth tumulus (called the Soul Tower ; 明楼; Mínglóu ), beneath which is the unexcavated tomb vault of the emperor. On the wall are inscribed the characters '此山明太祖之墓' ('This hill is the tomb of the first Ming emperor').
A combo ticket for the tomb and the Lińggǔ Temple Scenic Area is ¥100.
From Muxuyuan metro station (line 2), it’s a 1.6km walk uphill. Bus Y3 from the city centre also takes you here.
