The Ming Tombs are about 30 miles northwest to the City of Beijing, spreading over about 18 square miles in a beautiful basin surrounded from three sides by Tianshou (Heaven Longevity) Mountain in Changping township. Thirteen Ming-Dynasty (1368-1644) emperors and their empresses were buried in this huge imperial complex group. Only the Sacred Way (a spirit avenue guarded by 36 marble statues of 24 animals and 12 imperial warriors), and three tomb complexes (the Ding-Ling, Chang-Ling, and Zhao-Line) are open to the public, of which only the Ding-Ling underground palace is uncovered and open.