In 1572, 8-year-old Zhu Yijun became the 13rd emperor of Ming dynasty, assuming the name Shenzong (Shen Tsung), and starting the Wan Li reign, famed for its cultural achievements as well as for corruption, in-fighting, and the power of eunuchs at court.

In 1578, he married Empress Hsiao-tuan. In 1582, Consort Lady Wang gave birth to Emperor's eldest imperial son named Ch'ang-lo, who will soon be declared Imperial Prince. In 1585, the birth of Emperor's third son, Ch'ang-hsun (Prince Fu). Shenzong had open homosexual relationships.

In 1584, the 21 year old emperor Shenzong decided on the site of Dingling and assembled several 10,000 workers, civilians, troops to take part in its construction. Workforce on the site of construction was more than 30,000 each day.

Shenzong's Tomb is the only one out of the 13 Ming Tombs excavated so far. Excavation work started in 1956, and finished in 1958. The excavation work unearthed many historical relics which are now on display in the Dingling Musuem. Dingling Museum was opened to public in 1959, and it has an underground Palace and two exhibition rooms, one presents the process of the excavation and the other displays the treasure unearthed in the underground palace.