The
Ming Tombs (Ming Xiaoling) are situated
on the southern slope of Purple Mountain.
Work on the tombs began even before the
Emperor, Hong Wu (founder of the Ming dynasty)
died in 1398. The tombs here are some of
the largest Ming Tombs in China and the
only Ming Tombs located outside Beijing.
Hundreds of small stone statues still guard
the Emperor's tomb today, although much
of the original site has been destroyed.
The approach to the tomb is
along Shixiang Lu, a pretty path littered
with stone statues of real and mythical
animals.
