Ming Tombs 定陵，Below the mountain 爨底下村

One of the plans is to visit the Ming tombs and due to accessibility issues, the plan is to engage a driver to bring us to the locations. We found a travel shop at the bus interchange, and requested for quote of pricing. After much negotiation, we agreed and fixed the day for pick up. 

First stop for the day is the Ming tombs, which are the burial site for 13 emperors of Ming dynasty. Chang Ling, the tomb of emperor Yongle is the biggest and earliest in the area. Most of the unearthed relics on display in the Hall of eminent favour which is the largest wooden architecture in China. 

The tomb we visited is Ding Ling the joint tomb for the 13th Ming emperor Zhu Yijin and his two empress. It is the 1st ancient emperor tomb to be excavated. The mausoleum is the only one that is excavated. 

We are told that these gold ingots bestowed to officers cannot be used as it is an honor of gift from the emperor. You can see them but you cannot use them. 😓

The emperor crown made of gold and dressed with the dragons.

The empress crown adorned with 9 dragons and 9 phoenixes. 

 

After a guided tour of the exhibit, we are brought to the mausoleum which is at underground level. 

An exhibit of what was placed in the tomb of the king.

This was the entrance to the tomb that was found. 

This place was chosen for its mountains and rivers that are deem very vital for the prosperity of the dynasty. 

After the tour of the Ming tomb, we head out to further outskirts of the Beijing. Where apparently, this is the remnants of a Ming village. There are still inhabitants here today. But the inhabitants are relatively few. Make sure to have your lunch if you are heading here as well. 

Name of this place Cuandixia is loosely translated into English as below the mountain. 

Wudao Temple. It is located in the most important traffic joint of the village. It is a traditional place for performance of funeral rites. In the temple, sacrifices are offered to the Wudaoye. In the past, after a villager dies, his relatives register the deceased in the temple. The dead is then received by the afterworld to avoid being a lonely ghost. The temple is a representative of the custom of filial piety. 

I really like the rustic feel of the village but most importantly because of its distance, not alot of visitors make their way here. So you can take your time to explore and look around the village. 

Climbing up a hill opposite the village to get an aerial view of the village. 

Roaming around the village takes an hour or less. But getting here from beijing is 3 hrs at least. So do plan your time.