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Marking the entrance to the site is a magnificent five-arched gate, built of white marble, and erected in 1540. At 40 ft (12 m) high and more than 92 ft (28 m) wide, it is the largest of its kind in China, and boasts beautiful bas-relief carvings.

After the Memorial Arch the road passes through the Great Palace Gate and the tunnel-like arch of the Stele Pavilion. Here the largest stele in China projects from the shell of a giant bixi (dragon-tortoise) and bears the names of the emperors buried at the site.

Part of the 4-mile (7-km) approach to the tombs, the Spirit Way is lined with 18 pairs of giant guardians – stone statues of court officials, imperial warriors, animals, and mythical Chinese beasts.

The resting place of the Yongle emperor, the builder of the Forbidden City and Temple of Heaven, is the oldest and grandest tomb. It has been well restored, but the chamber where Yongle, his wife, and 16 concubines are buried has never been excavated.

One of China’s most impressive surviving Ming buildings, this double-eaved sacrificial hall is the centerpiece of the Chang Ling tomb complex. It stands on a triple-tiered marble terrace and 32 gigantic cedar columns support the roof.

In addition to an impressive statue of the Yongle emperor, the Hall of Eminent Favor also contains artifacts from the Wanli emperor’s tomb (the Ding Ling). These include a crown of golden wire topped by two dragons.

Rising up from the third courtyard of the Chang Ling complex, the tower marks the entrance to the burial chamber. This takes the form of an earthen tumulus girdled by a wall half a mile (1 km) in circumference.

This is the tomb of the longest-reigning Ming ruler, the emperor Wanli (1573–1620). His profligate rule began the downfall of the dynasty. Building his tomb involved 30,000 workers and took six years to complete.

This is the only burial chamber to be excavated and opened to the public. Visitors descend to a central throne room and a rear annex with three red-lacquer coffins, belonging to Wanli and his two wives.

The resting place of the 13th Ming emperor, Longqing (1537–72), who gained the throne at the age of 30 and died six years later. It has an attractive triple-bridge over a stream.