The Mingxian Mausoleum Cultural Tourism Scenic Area, located in Zhongxiang City, was first built in the 14th year of the Ming Dynasty's Zhengde reign (1519) and completed in the 38th year of the Ming Dynasty's Jiajing reign (1559), taking 40 years to complete. It is the joint burial tomb of Emperor Jiajing's father, Emperor Gongruixian Zhu Youqian, and mother, Empress Dowager Zhangsheng. The cemetery consists of more than 30 large-scale architectural complexes, gradually arranged along the mountain terrace, including the Chunde Mountain Stele, Imperial Edict Stele, Outer Mingtang, New and Old Red Gates, Imperial Stele Tower, Stone Statue Life, Lingxing Gate, Jiuqu Yuhe, Fangcheng, Front and Rear Tomb Cities, etc. Numerous buildings are nestled in the embrace of mountains and waters. After entering the scenic area, tourists can walk along the central axis to explore. The construction of the Mingling Cultural Tourism Scenic Area is a product of the major historical event of the "Great Rites Debate" in the early Jiajing period of the Ming Dynasty. The planning layout and architectural techniques are unique, and it plays a bridging role in the regulation of imperial tombs in the Ming Dynasty. The bottle shaped Outer Luo City, the Nine Curve Imperial River, the Dragon Scale Divine Dao, the Qionghua Double Dragon Glass Shadow Wall, and the inner and outer Mingtang in its tomb architecture are all rare examples in Ming tombs. Especially, the tomb structure of "one tomb and two tombs" is unique among the tombs of emperors throughout history, consisting of two hidden underground palaces connected by Yao Tai in a dumbbell shape, which are mysterious and mysterious, and have always been regarded as extraordinary by the world. There are two tomb cities in the Mingling Cultural Tourism Scenic Area. The former tomb city was built in the 15th year of the Zhengde reign (1520), when Zhu Youqian passed away, in accordance with the regulations of the feudal lords, to build the tomb of Prince Xian. The latter tomb city was built in the 18th year of the Jiajing reign (1539), when Emperor Jiajing personally selected the site and buried his parents together. The two treasure cities are connected by a long platform called the "Yaotai", and each tomb city has a set of crescent shaped cities, mute courtyards, and glazed shadow walls, as well as an independent drainage system, which is its unique feature. The exquisite double dragon glass shadow walls on both sides of the Leng'en Gate are another highlight of it. The front of the flower center features a Qionghua pattern, while the back features a double dragon pattern. The craftsmanship is very exquisite. It is not found in the imperial tombs of the Ming Dynasty. There is also a unique landscape in the Mingling Cultural Tourism Scenic Area, which is the Jiuqu River. The Jiuqu River is the main drainage facility in the mausoleum area, and its shape also reflects the perfect layout of the environment, forming a significant difference from the seven imperial tombs of the Ming Dynasty.
Travel Tips
Address:No.1 Xianling Road, Zhongxiang City, Jingmen City, Hubei Province
Telephone:0724-4335599
Opening Hours:From 08:30 to 17:00 throughout the year
Ticket:CNY50