Dingling Underground Palace

We are about to descend into the Dingling Underground Palace, a site of unparalleled archaeological and historical importance. This is the tomb of the Wanli Emperor, the 13th emperor of the Ming Dynasty, who reigned for 48…

The entrance to the underground palace was one of the greatest mysteries of Chinese archaeology. For centuries, the 'Secret Way' to the burial chamber was kept hidden to prevent grave robberies. …

As you step into the first large chamber, the scale of the palace becomes apparent. The walls are made of massive white marble blocks, so perfectly fitted that you can barely see the seams. …

In the central hall, you will encounter three massive white marble thrones. The largest throne in the center belonged to the Wanli Emperor, and the two on either side were for his empresses, Empress Xiaoduan and Empress Xiaojing. …

We have reached the heart of the palace: the rear burial chamber. Here, on a raised stone platform called the 'coffin bed,' sit three large red boxes. …

While the bodies are gone, the treasures found within Dingling remain some of the most spectacular artifacts in Chinese history. In the nearby museum, you can see the 'gold thread hat'—a crown made of gold wire as thin as a hair,…

A fascinating 'scholarly' detail of the Dingling excavation is the mystery of the empty side chambers. When archaeologists opened the side rooms intended for the wives, they found 'nothing there.' This was 'puzzling.' It turns…

As we emerge from the Dingling Underground Palace and return to the surface, the bright sun and the 'heat' of the Changping district may feel like a shock. We have just spent time 27 meters below the earth, in a silent world of…