|
 The
mausoleum lies at the
northern foot of Mount
Zijin (Mount Purple
Gold).
Legend says that in
order to prevent robbery
of the tomb, 13 same
processions of funeral
troops started from 13
city gates to cover the
real
burying site. The
construction of the
mausoleum began in 1381
and ended in 1405,
taking 100 thousand
labors 25 years with
huge amount of
expenditure.
The original wall of the
mausoleum was more than
22.5 kilometers. Under
heavy guard of 5,000
military troops, the
mausoleum was heavily
constructed and planted.
The sacred way started
from Sifangchang
(Rectangular city) which
was a pavilion where a
splendid carved stone
stele for memory of
Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang
was enshrined, on which
hymn by his fourth son
was inscribed. Now, the
top of the pavilion was
gone. In the middle of
the 1800-meter-long
winding sacred way,
there are 6 kinds and 12
pairs of animals
guarding the tomb.
Further beyond is a pair
of decorative columns
called Huabiao in
Chinese. Four couples of
ministers and generals
have been standing there
for centuries to
accompany their His
Majesty beneath. |
