明十三陵英文导游词

十三陵的英文导游词---不是一般的费劲

THE MING TOMBS

The Ming Tombs are 40 kilometers north of Beijing City on the southern slopes of TianshouMountain. They are the burial grounds of 13 Ming Dynasty emperors. In July 2003 the site was designated a world cultural heritage site by UNESCO.

Empress Xu died in the 5th year of Yongle (1407). Zhu Di sent

Zhao Hong, secretary of the Ministry of Rites and a geomancer----Liao Junqing along with many others to Beijing in search of an auspicious place for the tombs. It is said that this group of people first selected the area of Tu Jia Ying, which means slaughter-house, and as such, it couldn't be used as the burial ground. Next they selected the foot of Yangshan Mountain, Changping. However, since the surname of the emperor (Zhu) is a homophone for pig and because a village named 'wolf mouth ravine' was located there, they decided against using that area. Later, they found Yan-jiatai west of Beijing. Again, since 'Yanjia' was the homonym of the death of the emperor, it was also deemed unsuitable. It was not until the 7th year of Yongle (1409), that they finally chose the present Heavenly Longevity Mountain as their cemetery grounds.

The whole area covers 40 square kilometers. It has mountains to its east, west and north, and Dragon Mountain and Tiger Mountain are on either side of its southern entrance. The 13 tombs go from north to south. They are arranged in the manner of the Imperial Palace, with the administration area in the front and living quarters in the rear. In front of the tombs are divine passes,

stone archways and steel towers. The Precious City and Ming Tower stand over theUnderground Palace.

There were 16 emperors during the Ming Dynasty. Buried in the Ming tombs, are 13 Ming emperors and 23 empresses, as well as many concubines,

princes, princesses and maids. The other 3 emperors, Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang, Zhu Yunwen and Zhu Qiyu are buried in other locations.

The founder of the Ming Dynasty, Zhu Yuanzhang, established his capital in present dayNanjing where he was buried after his death. His tomb is called Xiaoling (Tomb of Filial Piety).

The body of the second emperor of the Ming, Zhu Yunwen, is missing. Some said that he died in a fire, while others said that he went to a temple and became a monk. There is no final conclusion yet.

The seventh Ming Emperor Zhu Qiyu, was buried as a prince by his elder brother Zhu Qizhen at Jinshankou, a western suburb of Beijing, because in the Tumubao Upheaval, Emperor Zhu Qizhen became a captive and the younger brother of Zhu Qizhen. Zhu Qiyu was chosen as the new emperor, but later Zhu Qizhen was back and proclaimed his re-enthronement in the Seizing Gate Upheaval.

The Memorial Arch was built in the 19th year of Jiajing (1540) as a symbol of the Ming Tombs. It is 14 meters high and 28. 86 meters wide, and has 5 arches supported by 6 pillars with beautiful bas-relief carvings of lions, dragons and lotus flowers. The Memorial Arch is the biggest and the most exquisite stone arch preserved in the country today. The major designs of dragon and cloud decorations reflect the character of imperial architecture. In addition, it also demonstrates the skillful artistry of the Ming craftsmen.

The Big Palace Gate is the front gate of the Ming Tombs, and is more commonly known as Big Red Gate. Facing south, there are three arch en-trances to the gate, the main inlet to the Ming Tombs. Flanking the gate are two stone tablets, inscribed with orders for the emperor, officials and other people to dismount, before entering into the tomb area. If they did not obey, they would be punished for their disrespect. The rules governing the Ming Tombs in the Ming Dynasty, stipulate that one who sneaks into the tomb area to pick firewood and break twigs would be flogged. Those who came to fetch dirt and stone would be beheaded. Those who entered arbitrarily into the tomb area would be flogged a hundred times.

The Tablet House was built in the 10th year of Xuande (1435), and stands about 10 meters high with two tiers of eaves. A huge tablet stands in the