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 described the map of the Ming Tombs, which is an organic combination of the architecture and natural landscape of the Ming Tombs.
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