The Imperial Tombs of the Ming and Qing Dynasties are four groups of tombs in four provinces of eastern China. The tombs, designed in keeping with the Chinese principles of geomancy (feng-shui), provide outstanding evidence of Chinese beliefs and traditions from the 14th century onwards and are significant examples of architecture and applied arts from that period.

Xiaoling Tomb of the Ming Dynasty (inscribed on the World Heritage List in 2003)

Xiaoling Tomb of the Ming Dynasty, located at the south foot of Mount Zhong, the highest peak of Ningzhen Mountains on the south bank of the lower reaches of Yangtze River, in the eastern suburban of Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, is the mausoleum of Zhu Yuanzhang (1328-1398) , the first emperor of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). Regarded as the most important one of all the Ming tombs, Xiaoling Tomb's burial system served as a link between its past and future in that it inherited the cream of the imperial burial systems of the Han, Tang, and Song Dynasties, added unique innovations to them, and created the imperial burial system used by both the Ming and Qing Emperors. The Tombs of the Ming and Qing Emperors in Beijing, Hubei, Qiaoning, and Hebei due to different historical stages were all built in conformity with the scale and style of the Xiaoling Tomb in Nanjing. The Xiaoling Tomb of the Ming Dynasty was a milestone in the history of imperial burial system in ancient China, because Thirteen Tombs of the Ming Emperors, Xianling Tomb of the Ming Dynasty, the Eastern Tombs of the Qing Dynasty and the Western Tombs of the Qing Dynasty all inherited the standards of the Xiaoling Tomb. Standardizing the overall layout and genre of over 20 imperial tombs of the Ming and Qing Dynasties over more than 500 years, the Xiaoling Tomb enjoys high position in history with far-reaching influences.

Thirteen Tombs of the Ming Emperors (inscribed on the World Heritage List in 2003)

Thirteen Tombs of the Ming Emperors, located at the foot of Tianshan Mountain in Changping District of Beijing with an area of 80 square kilometers, is the general name for the mausoleums of the thirteen Ming Emperors in power after the capital was moved to Beijing. The Tombs are the reminders of the most part of the Ming Dynasty history since the construction of Chang Tomb in 1409 until the Chongzhen Emperor was buried in the Si Tomb in 1644. The Thirteen Tombs, strict in tomb locations selection, unique in designs, delicate in constructions, meticulous in building materials using, are the typical examples of Chinese imperial mausoleum constructions. The burial system employed in the Tombs was somewhat innovated upon that of the previous dynasty, and had far-reaching influences on the imperial tombs of the Qing Dynasty. In the mausoleum area, besides tombs of 13 Emperors, 23 Empresses, and dozens of immolated imperial concubines, there are still seven tombs of imperial concubines, one tomb of eunuch, imperial palaces and imperial gardens. The historical sites and relics are all material evidences for studies of burial system, funeral standards, sacrifice offering procedures, personnel system, architectural technology and technique, politics, economics, culture, military in the Ming Dynasty.

Xianling Tomb of the Ming Dynasty (inscribed on the World Heritage List in 2000)

Xianling Tomb of the Ming Dynasty, located on Mount Cunde, five kilometers north-east of Zhongxiang city in Hubei Province, is the tomb of the Ming Shizong Emperor Jiajing's father Gongruixian Emperor Zhu Youyuan (1476-1519) and Jiajing Emperor's mother Zhangsheng empress dowager. The construction of Xianling Tomb began in the 14th year in the reign of Zhengde (1519), and completed in the 38th year in the reign of Jiajing (1559), lasting for 40 years. The overall area of the Tomb is 183.15 ha while the additional defensive walls outside the city walls are 3,600 meters in length. The Tomb was built in the form of two closed cities with over 30 magnificent building compounds, which are in perfect relation with the surrounding mountains and lakes.

Eastern Tombs of the Qing Dynasty (inscribed on the World Heritage List in 2000)

Eastern Tombs of the Qing Dynasty, located in the Malan Vally of Zunhua City, Hebei Province, is one of the imperial mausoleums of the Qing Dynasty. The Tombs were started to be built in the 18th year in the reign of Shunzhi (1661). Altogether 161 members of the imperial family including five emperors and 15 empresses were buried here. The five tombs for Emperors are, namely, Xiaoling Tomb for Emperor Shunzhi, Jingling Tomb for Emperor Kangxi, Yuling Tomb for Emperor Qianlong, Dingling Tomb for Emperor Xianfeng, and Huiling Tomb for Emperor Tongzhi. The four tombs for Empresses are, namely, Zhaoxiling Tomb for Empress Xiaozhuangwen, Xiaodongling Tomb for Empress Xiaohuizhang, Dingdongling Tomb for Empress Xiaozhenxian (Ci'an), and Xiaodongling Tomb for Empress Xiaoqinxian (Cixi). Eastern Tombs of the Qing Dynasty provide both precious material evidences for studies of burial system, funeral standard, sacrificing etiquettes, and architectural art and technique in the Qing Dynasty as well as typical examples for the studies of politics, economics, military, culture, science, and art at that time.

Western Tombs of the Qing Dynasty (inscribed on the World Heritage List in 2000)

Western Tombs of the Qing Dynasty, located in the Yi County of Hebei Province, 120 kilometers south-west of Beijing, was built between 1730 and 1915. The Tombs cover an area of 1,842 ha with a buffer zone of 6,458 ha, including 14 mausoleums and two ancillary buildings, the Yongfu Temple and the imperial palace. Because it is the latest mausoleum complex ever built in the Qing Dynasty and the last site of tombs of feudal emperors in China, Western Tombs are the comprehensive expression of Chinese ancient architectural art both in form, technology, and design ideas, and they are also the best-preserved Qing mausoleum. With abundant material evidences and historical documents, Western Tombs illustrate the Chinese mausoleum architectural art and genre and the significant development and changes of the religious believe of the imperial family between 1730s to early 20th century from different aspects.