Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum

It serves as the joint burial mausoleum for Zhu Yuanzhang, the founding emperor of the Ming Dynasty, and Empress Ma. Its innovative tomb layout established the architectural norms for nearly all imperial mausoleums of the Ming and Qing dynasties. The winding sacred path breaks the traditional straight‑axis pattern of ancient imperial tombs. The iconic 615‑meter Stone Elephant Road is hailed as “the most beautiful 600 meters in Nanjing”, lined with grand stone beast sculptures. Core attractions include Stone Elephant Road, Wengzhong Road, Civil‑Military Gate, Hall of Sacrifice ruins, Square City, Ming Tower, Treasure Dome and Immortal Deer Garden. Surrounded by ancient pines, plum blossoms and autumn‑colored foliage, it perfectly integrates grand stone carving relics, imperial tomb architecture and mountain‑forest scenery. It is a top destination for historical sightseeing, ancient‑style photography and in‑depth cultural exploration in Nanjing.