The tombs of the emperors of the Ming dynasty is the whole mausoleum complex, which is included in the list of objects of protection of UNESCO. It is situated along the slope of Tianshou, in the South-West, about 50 kilometers from Beijing.

Chinese name sounds tombs "Shisanling", which literally translates as "the Thirteen tombs". The complex of memorials fenced off from the eyes of strangers by a high wall. The total area of the mausoleum complex is 40 square kilometers. Each tomb is reminiscent of the grave mound is well located tower and fence. The tombs are underground and consist of either a Palace or a part of the Palace.

For the first time the tombs were found by archaeologists in 1956. They have unearthed the burial place of Sanitsuda, the Emperor, known under the name of Renaissance. His tomb is called Linlin and it is hidden under the mound. It has 5 halls with a total area of approximately 1195 square meters. In the great hall had been the sarcophagus of the Emperor and his wives, but at the moment there are wooden copies.

The largest tomb in the complex belongs to the Yongle Emperor. In 1413 there they buried the wife of the Emperor, and after 11 years, and himself. Their burial place is surrounded by walls, with each wall length of about one kilometer. Leads to the complex sacred road, a length of 7 kilometers. The road laid out in 1435, and now it is often closed from strangers.

The sacred path starts near the monument to Emperor Lee Tsuchino and is an arch made of white marble. This arch was erected in 1540, its height of about 14 meters and a width of about 30. The path starts with two hexagonal stone columns, which are covered with intricate carvings depicting dragons.

On both sides of the road all along the way there are statues of people and animals: at first the lions, then seji, camels, elephants, and zinnias. Then horses and people – some military, Ministers and officials. In ancient times it was believed that the procession of the spirits enclosed in a stone that will serve the Emperor in heaven. Hence the second name of the road - "Way of the spirits." The sacred path ends with Heaven's gate, both sides of which are phoenixes and dragons, which symbolize power, strength and nobility.