Ming Zuling, Imperial ancestral tomb complex in Xuyi County, China
Ming Zuling is a burial complex in Xuyi County featuring mounds, stone statues, and more than 9,700 trees arranged along sacred pathways. The site spreads across extensive grounds with carefully structured tombs and ceremonial areas decorated with traditional architectural elements.
The complex was built between 1386 and 1413 to honor Zhu Chuyi, grandfather of the Ming founder. It became an important memorial place for imperial ancestors of the Ming Dynasty.
The burial complex displays traditional Chinese design principles with ceremonial pathways and stone animal statues that express imperial power. These elements reflect how ancestor veneration and family honor were central to how people organized sacred spaces.
The site is protected by embankments rising up to 15 meters high to shield structures from flooding caused by the nearby Huai River and Hongze Lake. Visitors should be aware of damp conditions that result from the site's proximity to these waterways.
The site sank beneath floodwaters in 1680 and remained hidden underwater for centuries. Drought conditions in the 1960s finally exposed ancient structures along the shoreline, allowing researchers to rediscover what was lost.
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