Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum

The first section of the avenue leading up to the Ming Xiaoling mausoleum is lined with stone statues of lions, camels, elephants and horses. There's also a mythical animal called a xiezhi - ancient goat reputed to gore quilty person, which has a mane and a single horn on its head ; and a qilin, which has a scaly body, a cow's tail, deer's hooves and one horn.

As you enter the first courtyard, a paved pathway leads to a pavilion housing several steles. The next gate leads to a large courtyard with Linghun Ta (Altar Tower or Soul Tower) - a mammoth rectangular stone structure. Behind the tower is a wall, 350m in diameter, surrounding a huge earth mound. Beneath this mound is the tomb vault of Hongwu, which has not been excavated.

The area surrounding the Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum is the Tomb of Hongwu Scenic Area. A tree-lined, stone pathway winds around pavilions and picnic grounds and ends at Zixiao Hu (Purple Clouds Lake), a small lake that you can swim in - a very relaxing way to spend a hot afternoon.

Highlights of Nanjing travel: