Ming Tombs to all be opened by 2030

All 13 tombs of the Ming Tombs Scenic Area will be opened to the public by 2030, according to the 2024 Ming Dynasty Culture Forum held during the weekend in Changping district in Beijing.

The Ming Tombs, located in the hinterlands of a northern suburb of Beijing, are the mausoleum complex of the Ming Dynasty (1368–1644). Thirteen emperors and their consorts are buried here, starting with the Yongle Emperor (r. 1403–1424). In 2003, the Ming Tombs as a whole were listed as a world heritage site by UNESCO.

In the past, for the protection of relics and visitors' safety, only four repaired tombs were open to the public. However, by 2030, all 13 tombs will be opened to the public, aiming to let the public appreciate the richness and unique charm of the Ming Dynasty culture from a broader perspective, according to the plan of the local government.

Alongside the tombs, the designs for a Ming cultural tourism complex and research-based tourism routes of Ming Dynasty historic sites have also been unveiled at the forum, with an exhibition of more than 100 national treasures from the Ming Dynasty.

With the theme of "The Splendid Age of the Colorful Ming," the forum consisted of a main forum, six themed discussions, an international academic symposium, five exhibitions, and four cultural events, attracting more than 600 domestic and international experts to discuss the historical and contemporary significance of the dynasty hundreds of years ago.