The Ming Tombs are both a unified whole and an independent unit with similar specifications. Each mausoleum is built in front of a mountain. The distance between the two tombs is at least half a kilometer and at most eight kilometers. Except for Siling, which is located in the southwest corner, the others are fan-shaped and located around Changling (see figure). Under the guidance of China's traditional geomantic theory, from site selection to planning and design, the Ming Tombs attached great importance to the harmonious unity of mausoleum architecture and natural landscape vegetation, and pursued the perfect realm of "heaven and earth" to reflect the philosophical view of "harmony between man and nature". The Ming Tombs, as an outstanding representative of China's ancient tombs, showed the rich connotation of China's traditional culture.
The layout of this mausoleum built on the mountain has also been appreciated by foreign experts. For example, Joseph Needham, a famous British historian, said: The Mausoleum is a great achievement in China's architectural form, and its overall pattern may be the greatest example of the combination of the whole building and landscape art. He rated the Ming Tombs as "the greatest masterpiece". His experience is that "you can enjoy the scenery of the whole valley from the gatehouse and meditate on its solemn scene on an organic plane, in which all the buildings are integrated with the scenery, and a person's wisdom is well expressed through the skills of architects and builders." British urban planner Edmund Bacon also spoke highly of the artistic achievements of the Ming Tombs. He believes that "the most magnificent' moving' example in architecture is Ming Taizu Mausoleum." He pointed out that the layout of the mausoleum building built on the mountain was "so magnificent that the whole valley volume was used to commemorate the dead king." They vividly describe the organic combination of the architecture of the Ming Tombs and the natural landscape.
In 2003, the Ming Tombs were listed on the World Heritage List. Evaluation of World Heritage Committee: According to the theory of geomantic omen, imperial tombs of the ming and qing dynasties has carefully selected sites and skillfully placed a large number of buildings underground. It is the product of human's transformation of nature, which embodies the traditional architectural and decorative ideas, and interprets the world outlook and power view of feudal China that lasted for more than 5,000 years.
The Ming Tombs are one of the best preserved imperial tombs in China. After the founding of People's Republic of China (PRC), in order to protect this cultural relic, the government began to carry out maintenance from the early days of liberation, and protected the Ming Tombs as a national key cultural relic. 1957, the Beijing municipal government announced the Ming Tombs as the first batch of key ancient cultural relics protection units in Beijing. 196 1 year, the Ming Tombs were announced as national key cultural relics protection units. 1982, the State Council announced Badaling-Ming Tombs Scenic Area as one of the 44 key scenic spots in China. 199 1 year, the Ming Tombs were identified by the National Tourism Administration as one of the "Forty Best Tourist Attractions in China". 1992, the Ming Tombs were rated as "the world's most well-preserved tombs with the largest number of buried emperors" by the Beijing Tourism World's Most Selected Committee. On 20 1 1 year, the National Tourism Administration approved the Ming Tombs Scenic Area as a national 5A-level tourist attraction.