Beijing to Begin Phased Opening of All UNESCO-Designated Ming Tombs Beginning This Year

The Ming Tombs Scenic Area, the largest imperial tomb complex in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, will encourage more travelers to gaze upon its wonders as it begins a phased opening this year that will see all of them opened to the public by 2030.

The announcement was made at The Ming Culture Forum 2024 in Changping, Beijing. There, scholars of the Ming dynasty and culture spoke on the importance of the era and displayed some of the wonders found within the tombs, such as Emperor Wanli’s golden mesh crown and his empress’s phoenix coronet. 

The Ming Tombs Scenic Area, which is located just over 30 miles from the city of Beijing, will begin a three-phased approach to opening all of the tombs to visitors beginning this year. From 2024 to 2025, travelers will be able to visit the tombs of Siling and Yongling. 

The second phase begins in 2026 and goes through 2028. During this period, the tombs of Maoling, Tailing, Deling and the ruins of the New Imperial Residence will be opened to visitors. The last phase, from 2029 to 2030, will open the tombs of Xianling, Yuling and Qingling to the public. 

The scenic area will introduce signs and explanations throughout to encourage greater learning, and two study tour routes will take travelers on a two day-long trip of the region’s Ming Dynasty attractions. Changping is planning a selection of annual activities to encourage travelers to visit, including the Li Shizhen Traditional Chinese Medicine Cultural Festival. 

The forum also called for designs for a future museum complex featuring Ming culture, which is expected to become a hub for international exchange and tourism.