The Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum

The Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum is the joint tomb of Zhu Yuanzhang, the founding emperor of the Ming dynasty, and his empress, Ma. Located on the southern slope of Purple Mountain in Nanjing, it is the largest imperial mausoleum in the city and one of the largest ancient imperial tombs in China. The grand and magnificent Ming Xiaoling, foremost among the Ming imperial mausoleums, represents the highest achievements in early Ming architecture and stone carving. It directly influenced the design of imperial mausoleums throughout the Ming and Qing dynasties for more than 500 years, giving it a unique place in the history of Chinese imperial tombs. It is therefore known as “the foremost imperial mausoleum of the Ming and Qing dynasties.” In 2003, it was inscribed on the World Heritage List. This book offers a comprehensive introduction to the Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum in six areas: the life of the person buried there, the construction of the mausoleum, its architectural layout, funerals and guards, sacrifices and imperial visits, and preservation and management.