There are totally 13 Ming Tombs and three of them are open to the public including Dingling, Changling and Zhaoling. Kangling is the co-tomb of the 10th emperor Zhu Houzhao (1941 – 1521) and Empress Xia in Ming Dynasty. The construction of Kangling took one year and was finished in the year 1521. His era name is “Zhengde” meaning “Right virtue” or “Rectification of virtue”. He was also called Zhengde Emperor.
Zhengde Emperor ascended the throne at the age of 15 and died in 1521 at the age of 30. He was an emperor in dispute. Some say Zhengde was not interested in all state affairs. His actions have been thought as reckless, foolish. In many cases he showed a lack of responsibility.
However, some modern historians agree to view his rule in a new light and argue that his actions similar to that of his successors such as Wanli was a direct response to the bureaucratic network that the Ming Dynasty was set in its later half.
For local villagers in Kangling Village, they show great leniency to Zhengde Emperor. As the tomb keepers of Kangling, they are more interested in the positive stories and mysteries surrounding Zhengde Emperor. One thing that still benefits Kangling Village people is the famous spring pancakes named “Zhendge Spring Pancake”. Kangling Village is well known for making the best spring pancakes in Beijing.
Spring pancakes originated in the southern China. The making of spring pancakes was brought back by Zhengde Emperor on his military epxpedition to the south of China. Many urban residents of Beijing come to Kangling Village to savour the yummy pancakes.
There are over 30 households in Kangling Village and live within an old wall. The village is located to the west of Kangling Tomb. By the village gate is an old and big Chinese scholar tree of over 800 years old.
In the middle of Kangling Cun (village), an over 1,000 year ginkgo tree, adding much activity and anima to the old village. Apart from developing folk tourism offering local food (Zhengde pancakes) and farmhouse inns, Kangking Village live on fruit and wood. It is surrounded by the hills in four sides.
Well, follow me to Kangling Village! It has been selected as a Folk Culture Village and won the reward of “the Most Beautiful Village in Beijing” in the year 2008.
When we arrive at Kangling Village, the first thing in sight is the Kangling Tomb of yellow upeaved building with an huge stele at its front. Kangling Tomb is to the east of Kangling Village.
The Kangling Tomb (the 10th emperor Zhu Houzhao of Ming Dynasty (1491 – 1521)
You have 21 choices to select for your local food tour from the 21 households on the huge signboard below!
Tip: Hassle-free Beijing Guided Tours
If you don’t want to go the do-it-yourself route and prefer the hassle-free escorted tours, here are some options for Beijing guided tours:
Beijing Day Tour
Beijing Tour Packages
Beijing Winter Tour
Beijing Autumn Tour
Great Wall Tour
Car Rental in Beijing
Beijing Tours
China City Tours
China Tour
Further Readings
Best Time to Visit Beijing
How to plan a trip to Beijing
Top 10 Attractions in Beijing
How to Visit Forbidden City
How to Visit Temple of Heaven
How to Visit Summer Palace
How to Visit Ming Tombs
How to Visit the Great Wall of China
How to Visit Tiananmen Square
How to Visit Hutongs
How to Visit Olympic Sites
Top 10 Markets in Beijing
Top 10 Shopping Malls in Beijing
Beijing Shopping
Wangfujing Walking Street
Qianmen Commercial Street
Gui Jie ( Ghost Street) Food Street
Any questions, just drop a line.
