Fuling Tomb

Welcome to the Fuling Mausoleum, also known as the East Tomb, located in the eastern suburbs of Shenyang. This majestic architectural complex serves as the final resting place of Nurhachi, the founder of the Later Jin dynasty,…

We begin at the Dahongmen, or the Great Red Gate, which serves as the primary entrance to the mausoleum complex. This imposing structure, with its three arched doorways, marks the transition from the mundane world into the sacred…

Before us lies the magnificent stairway known as the 108 Steps. This colossal stone staircase is approximately 40 meters long and 7 meters wide, leading visitors from the flat ground of the entrance area up to the primary complex…

At the top of the 108 Steps, we encounter the Shenggong Shengde Bei, or the Sacred Merit Monument, housed within a magnificent pavilion. This four-gate building with double eaves was constructed in 1688, during the 27th year of…

We now stand before the Square City, or Fang Cheng, which is considered the soul of the Fuling mausoleum and the most characteristic feature of Qing architectural style. This part of the complex is a small, square fortress with…

At the heart of the Square City sits the Longing Hall, also known as the Shang Temple. This is the earliest and most important building in the entire mausoleum, serving as the principal place for sacrificial ceremonies and…

Our final stop is the Crescent City and the Bao Cheng, or Precious Mound, located to the north of the Square City. The Crescent City is a small, semi-circular area that serves as the immediate enclosure for the burial mound. …

As we descend from the Square City and make our way back down the 108 Steps, we reflect on the incredible journey of Nurhachi and the dynasty he founded. Fuling is more than a cemetery; it is a monumental chronicle of the Qing…