Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum: Sacred Way and Visit Planning
Plan a visit to Ming Xiaoling in Nanjing: the Sacred Way and stone sculptures, ticket prices, and how to arrive by Metro Line 2 or bus.
Photo: Jessica Sacco / Pexels
Contents
Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum is the tomb of Zhu Yuanzhang, the Hongwu Emperor and founder of the Ming Dynasty, and Empress Ma, on Purple Mountain in Nanjing.[1] It is part of the UNESCO World Heritage listing of the Imperial Tombs of the Ming and Qing Dynasties, added in 2003, and its design set the pattern that later imperial tombs followed.[2]
The tomb area has two parts: the winding Sacred Way and the main tomb area.[1] The Sacred Way is lined with stone monuments and sculptures,[2] so make the stone figures along the approach your focus, then continue to the main tomb area.
Choose a route and allow time for walking
Half a day is a comfortable allowance for Ming Xiaoling alone. The wider Zhongshan Mountain scenic area contains separate zones, so add time for transfers if you plan to continue to another attraction. Buses and a sightseeing bus connect parts of the area.
Things to Do
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GetYourGuide partner offers. GoAsia may earn a commission if you book through these offers. Check whether tickets or transfers are included, and follow the attraction's official booking and admission rules.
Ticket prices
Individual tickets and a four-attraction combination ticket cost the following per person (June 2025).[3]
| Attraction | Individual ticket | Included in four-site combo |
|---|---|---|
| Ming Xiaoling Scenic Area | CNY 70 per person[3] | Yes |
| Linggu Scenic Area | CNY 35 per person[3] | Yes |
| Open-Air Music Hall | CNY 10 per person[3] | Yes |
| Meiling Palace | CNY 30 per person[3] | Yes |
| All four attractions | Combo ticket | CNY 100 per person[3] |
Tickets are issued under real-name registration, so bring your passport or other valid identification. You can buy at the entrance or online through the mini-program. Ticketing for Ming Xiaoling runs from 06:30 to 18:30 from February to November and from 07:00 to 17:30 in December and January.[3]
Arrive through the scenic-area network
Take Metro Line 2 to Muxuyuan Station, then walk or transfer to a sightseeing bus. Bus 20 runs between Mochou Lake Park West Gate and the Ming Tomb car park, and Bus 315 runs from Nanjing Railway Station North Square East to Nanwanying South; both stop at Ming Tomb.[3]
Pair other Purple Mountain stops selectively
Ming Xiaoling, the Dr. Sun Yat-sen's Mausoleum Scenic Area, Linggu Scenic Area, the Open-Air Music Hall and other attractions all lie within the wider Zhongshan Mountain area. The four-site combo covers Ming Xiaoling, Linggu, the Music Hall and Meiling Palace, but not Dr. Sun Yat-sen's Mausoleum, the one site here that requires an online reservation.[3] Plan the walking and transfers between separate stops, as the combo does not include transport.
For broader itinerary ideas, see the China travel guide.
Sources and background
Numbers in the text such as [1] refer to these sources.
- [1] Nanjing Municipal People's Government: Ming Xiaoling Scenic Area. Retrieved October 21, 2026.
- [2] UNESCO World Heritage Centre: Imperial Tombs of the Ming and Qing Dynasties. Retrieved October 21, 2026.
- [3] Nanjing Zhongshan Mausoleum Administration: Zhongshan Mountain National Park Tour Guide (June 2025). Retrieved October 21, 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
It is the tomb of the first Ming emperor, Zhu Yuanzhang. UNESCO lists it as part of the Imperial Tombs of the Ming and Qing Dynasties, added in 2003, and says it established the basic design for the imperial tombs that followed.
The tomb area has two parts: the winding Sacred Way and the main tomb area. The Sacred Way is lined with stone monuments and sculptures, so the stone figures along the approach are a good focus if you have limited time.
Reserve about half a day for Ming Xiaoling and add time if you plan to continue to other Purple Mountain attractions.
The June 2025 visitor guide of the Zhongshan Mountain administration lists Ming Xiaoling at CNY 70 per person and a CNY 100 per-person combination ticket for Ming Xiaoling, Linggu Scenic Area, Open-Air Music Hall and Meiling Palace.
No. The four-site combo covers Ming Xiaoling, Linggu, the Open-Air Music Hall and Meiling Palace, not Dr. Sun Yat-sen's Mausoleum, and it does not include transport.
Take Metro Line 2 to Muxuyuan Station, then walk or take a sightseeing bus. Buses 20 and 315 also stop at Ming Tomb.
Yes. Several attractions share the scenic area. Leave time for transfers and walking, and remember that the four-site ticket does not include Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum or transport.
