The two most famous sites are Changling and Dingling

  Changling, Chang Tomb, is the largest and oldest of the tombs located approximately 4km from the entrance. It was built in the 15th century and serves as the burial ground for Emperor Zhu Di and his empress. In total, Changling occupies 120,000sqm. Structures around the central axis include Front Gate to the Tomb, Gate of Eminent Favor, the Hall of Eminent Favor, the Dragon & Phoenix Gate, Soul Tower and Wall-circle Earth Mound. Hall of Eminent Favor, its interior brackets and columns made out of a single nanmu trunk piece, is the most striking architectural piece that graces the grounds. The hall serves as a museum that displays artifacts unearthed on the premises.

  The two most famous sites are Changling and Dingling. Changling is the tomb of Emperor Zhu Di and his empresses. This is the most magnificent of the tombs. The succeeding twelve emperors had their tombs built around Changling. Only the Changling and Dingling tombs are open to the public. Changling, the chief of the Ming Tombs, is the largest in scale and is completely preserved. The total internal area of the main building is 1956 square meters. There are 32 huge posts, and the largest measures about 14 meters in height. It inhumes Emperor Zhudi, the fourth son of Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang. The Lingsi Palace in its second yard is really deserves a visit. This is unique as it is the only huge palace made of camphor wood. It covers about 1956 square meters. The ceiling is colorfully painted and supported by sixteen solid camphor posts. The floor was decorated with gold bricks.
  Unlike Changling, Dingling is under ground and about 27 meters deep. And Dingling is the only one of the thirteen Ming Tombs excavated so far. Excavation of the tomb occurred from 1956 to 1958, the underground chamber was discovered through sheer luck when Archeologists discovered a stone tablet left by the original builders. The stone Tablet gave instructions on how to find the tomb. And this was necessary when the tomb was reopened for the burial of the emperor. Entering the gate of Dingling, tourists can see two sketch maps. One gives a beautiful panoramic view of the thirteen tombs, and the other shows Dingling Tomb and the Underground Palace. The Underground Palace is 27 meters deep with a total floor space of 1,195 square meters. It consists of 5 chambers, the central chamber, the rear chamber and two annex chambers on the left and right of the middle chamber. The vaulted halls were built of stone, without a single beam or column.