Xiaoling is the mausoleum of the first Ming Dynasty emperor Zhu Yuanzhang. It is one of the largest imperial mausoleums existing in China, as a historical monument put under state protection.

The Qing dynasty was the last imperial dynasty in China. It began in 1644 when the Manchu people from the North overthrew the ruling Ming dynasty and established their capital in Beijing.

During the Ming Dynasty the Maritime Silk Roads greatly increased the import of pepper to China where it was sometimes used to pay officials their salary. Foods and ingredients, such as ‘Nang Bing’, ...