【正文】 十三陵的英文導(dǎo)游詞不是一般的費(fèi)勁THE MING TOMBSThe Ming Tombs are 40 kilometers north ofBeijingCityon the southern slopes ofTianshouMountain. They are the burial grounds of 13 Ming Dynasty emperors. In July 2003 the site was designated a world cultural heritage site by UNESCO.Empress Xu died in the 5thyear of Yongle (1407). Zhu Di sentZhao Hong, secretary of the Ministry of Rites and a geomancerLiao Junqing along with many others to Beijing in search of an auspicious place for the tombs. It is said that this group of people first selected the area of Tu Jia Ying, which means slaughterhouse, and as such, it couldn39。t be used as the burial ground. Next they selected the foot ofYangshanMountain, Changping. However, since the surname of the emperor (Zhu) is a homophone for pig and because a village named 39。wolf mouth ravine39。 was located there, they decided against using that area. Later, they found Yanjiatai west ofBeijing. Again, since 39。Yanjia39。 was the homonym of the death of the emperor, it was also deemed unsuitable. It was not until the 7th year of Yongle (1409), that they finally chose the presentHeavenlyLongevityMountainas their cemetery grounds.The whole area covers 40 square kilometers. It has mountains to its east, west and north, andDragonMountainandTigerMountainare on either side of its southern entrance. The 13 tombs gofrom north to south. They are arranged in the manner of theImperialPalace, with the administration area in the front and living quarters in the rear. In front of the tombs are divine passes, stonearchways and steel towers. ThePreciousCityandMingTowerstand over theUndergroundPalace.There were 16 emperors during the Ming Dynasty. Buried in the Ming tombs, are 13 Ming emperors and 23 empresses, as well as many concubines, princes, princesses and maids. The other 3 emperors, Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang, Zhu Yunwen and Zhu Qiyu are buried in other locations.The founder of the Ming Dynasty, Zhu Yuanzhang, established his capital in present dayNanjingwhere he was buried after his death. His tomb is called Xiaoling (Tomb of Filial Piety).The body of the second emperor of the Ming, Zhu Yunwen, is missing. Some said that he died in a fire, while others said that he went to a temple and became a monk. There is no final conclusion yet.The seventh Ming Emperor Zhu Qiyu, was buried as a prince by his elder brother Zhu Qizhen at Jinshankou, a western suburb ofBeijing, because in the Tumubao Upheaval, Emperor Zhu Qizhen became a captive and the younger brother of Zhu Qizhen.Zhu Qiyu was chosen as the new emperor, but later Zhu Qizhen was backand proclaimed his reenthronementinthe Seizing Gate Upheaval.The Memorial Arch was built in the 19thyear of Jiajing (1540) as a symbol of the Ming Tombs. It is 14 meters high and 28. 86 meters wide, and has 5 arches supported by 6 pillars with beautiful basrelief carvings of lions, dragons and lotus flowers. The Memorial Arch is the biggest and the most exquisite stone arch preserved in the country today. The major designs of dragon and cloud decorations reflect the character of imperial architecture. In addition, it also demonstrates the skillful artistry of the Ming craftsmen.The Big Palace Gate is the front gate of the Ming Tombs, and is more monly known as Big Red Gate. Facing south, there are three arch entrances to the gate, the main inlet to the Ming Tombs. Flanking the gate are two stone tablets, inscribed with orders for the emperor, officials and other people to dismount, before entering into the tomb area. If they did not obey, they would be punished for their disrespect. The rules governing the Ming Tombs in the Ming Dynasty, stipulate that one who sneaks into the tomb area to