【正文】 re moving to Chang Ling. Changling is the first tomb built in the Ming Tombs area, covering 10 hectares and containing Emperor Zhu Di and his empress Xu.Zhu Di (Chengzu) of the Ming Dynasty was the fourth son of the first Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang, born in 1360. Zhu Di was conferred the title of the prince of Yan in the 3rdor the Tomb path. We passed the Memorial Arch, the Big Palace Gate, the Tablet House,all). Behind the house, there are two stone pillars. Beyond the pillars are stone animals and other statues. Lions, Xie Zhi, camels, elephants, and Qi Lin horses .All of the animals are in two pairs. Two stand, while the other two kneel. It is followed by the statues of military officers, civil officials and officials of merit, four in each group. These stone animals and statues were made in the 10th year of Xuande (1435). They reflect the imperial power when he was alive and the imperial dignity after he was deceased.the Seizing Gate Upheaval.The Memorial Arch was built in the 19thstand over theUndergroundCityImperialTigeras their cemetery grounds.The whole area covers 40 square kilometers. It has mountains to its east, west and north, and 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 presentwolf mouth ravine39。year 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。BeijingCityt be used as the burial ground. Next they selected the foot of was located there, they decided against using that area. Later, they found Yanjiatai west ofHeavenlyDragonMountainPalace, with the administration area in the front and living quarters in the rear. In front of the tombs are divine passes, stoneandPalace.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 dayNanjingZhu Qiyu was chosen as the new emperor, but later Zhu Qizhen was backyear 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 pick firewood and break twigs would be flogged. Those who came to fetch dirt and stone would be beheaded. Those who entered arbitrarily into the tomb area would be flogged a hundred times.The Tablet House was built in the 10thSacred Way, stone animals and statues, andyear of Hongwu (1370). He was appointed at Beiping