Gate of Heavenly Favors

Changling, Ming Tombs, Beijing (map)

Beyond the spirit path lie the Ming tombs themselves, each in its own precinct. All but three of the sixteen Ming emperors are buried here. Changling is the tomb of Yongle, the third emperor of the Ming dynasty. Yongle built the Forbidden City as his residence in life, and Changling as his residence in death, so the architecture of the two places is naturally similar.

Changling's Gate of Heavenly Favors, seen here, leads to the courtyard of the main offering hall (next page).