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China today: Centuries of contrast lure tourists

By: Tom Griscom
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BEIJING, China — The world’s most populous country and its capital city were formed by a mosaic of events spawned by emperors, invaders and internal upheaval.

The remnants of the Ming Dynasty (1368 to 1644) remain today, having withstood time and the threat of destruction from latter-day conquerors and insurgents.

For tourists, and many Chinese, walking through the massive gates into the Forbidden City retraces the steps of the rulers of the Ming and Qing dynasties.

Photo by Tom Griscom
The Great Wall, completed during the Ming Dynasty, is still an essential stop on any tour of China.

Meanwhile, 50 kilometers outside the capital city stand the mausoleums of 13 Ming rulers.

A retired Chinese archaeologist shared his memory of being a 25-year-old researcher on a team that opened the first Ming emperor’s tomb between 1956 and 1958.

Fear of the unknown gripped the archaeologists as they found the entrance to the emperor’s tomb. They searched for a safe way to go down a centuries-old walkway.

A chicken was the solution, and they threw the bird into the dark entranceway. Within seconds, the chicken scurried out, having gone but a few feet into the tomb. Next, a volunteer was selected, a rope tied around his waist, and down the darkened pathway he went. If he fell into a pit, the other members hoped to pull him out.

But nothing occurred, and the team entered the emperor’s chamber. The air that filled the mausoleum after hundreds of years of being sealed destroyed the silk robes within days. Only one additional tomb has been opened but not for public view.

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