Ming Xiao Ling (Xiao Mausoleum of the Ming Dynasty):

Ming Xiao Ling is the Mausoleum of Emperor Taizu, Zhu Yuanzhang, the first emperor of the Ming Dynasty. The construction started began in the year 1373 and was completed in 1413; taking. It took 38 years to complete the project.

Dismounting Archway is the first construction you will see in the Mausoleum. On the archway, several characters were carved to demand both civil officials and military officers must dismount their horses and sedan chairs on upon seeing this archway. North to of the Dismounting Archway is the main entrance of the mausoleum. Now Presently, there are only three arched gates made of brick and stone existingthat exist. Passing through the boulevard, you can see the Tablet Pavilion which composes composed of four walls, for which it is called as Sifang Cheng (square town). Inside the Tablet Pavilion is the Tablet praising the supernatural exploits and holy quality of Emperor Tai Zu. The Tablet itself is 8.87m high with 2,700 characters carved on it. The approach to the tomb is a road known as the Sacred Way. This way is lined with gigantic stone statues: 12 pairs of 6 kinds of animals such as lions, elephants, horses and mythical animals,. With four ofto a group, two are in the a sitting position and two are in the a standing position. There are eight stone general and official statues of four pairs as well. Passing the main entrance, you will see another Tablet Hall, where stands Zhilong Tang Song Tablet on which Kangxi's calligraphy was carved. It reads "Reign the country as prosperously as the Tang and Song Dynasties.". Kangxi, the emperor of the Qing Dynasty (1644¡1911) wrote these words when he did during his third southern inspection tour. Sacrificial Hall is just 56- metres away from the Tablet Hall. Here, sacrificial ceremonies used to be held, and Memorial Tablets were erected to commemorate Emperor Tai Zu and his wife Queen Ma. The present three-room building was built during the reign of Emperor Tong Zhi of the Qing Dynasty.