Zhao Mausoleum (Qing dynasty)
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41°50′59.54″N 123°25′17.80″E / 41.8498722°N 123.4216111°E
Part of | Imperial Tombs of the Ming and Qing Dynasties |
---|---|
Criteria | Cultural: (i)(ii)(iii)(iv)(vi) |
Reference | 1004ter-014 |
Inscription | 2000 (24th Session) |
Extensions | 2003, 2004 |
Area | 47.89 ha (118.3 acres) |
Buffer zone | 318.74 ha (787.6 acres) |
Zhaoling (Chinese: 昭陵; pinyin: Zhàolíng; lit. 'luminous mausoleum'; Manchu: ᡝᠯᡩᡝᠩᡤᡝ
ᠮᡠᠩᡤᠠᠨ, Möllendorff: eldengge munggan), also known as Beiling (Chinese: 北陵; pinyin: Běilíng; lit. 'North Mausoleum') is the tomb of the first Qing emperor, Hong Taiji, and his Empress Xiaoduanwen.
The tomb is located within
The Beiling Park has an area of 330 hectares (820 acres), and contains many historic buildings, pine trees and lakes. In 1927, Government of the
Description
The site is aligned on a north–south axis set west of Shenyang city's old north axis. This access forms the
The first gate is made of marble with ornate carvings. Heavy steel supports have been added to the front and back of this gate to prevent it falling over. The second gate takes you through the walls that surround the tomb. The royal way continues through forested land. A pair of stone pillars mark the beginning of the inner tomb structures. To either side of the route stand four pairs of stone animals. These are two xiezhi (mythical beasts that could tell good from evil. Here they represent the justice of the Emperor), two qilin (representing peace and kindness), two white horses, and lastly two camels. Beyond these guardians, the way is blocked by a small building inside which is a large stele. This stele tells of the deeds done by the dead emperor. It is mounted on top of a large statue of a turtle. After this, to either side of the way stand four buildings. These were used by the emperor and his staff to prepare themselves and their offerings before their ceremony to honor the past emperor.[2]
Three stations of Shenyang Metro Line 2 serve this area: Beiling Gongyuan Station, Lingxi Station, and Xinle Yizhi Station.
Main temple complex
After these stands the main temple complex. This is a walled area within which the ceremonies for worshiping the emperor were carried out. The tomb mound and underground palace stand in a semi-circular walled area north of the temple area. The temple walls are high, with a walkway set on top of them. Each corner is marked with a small tower and two larger towers stand over the north and south gates of the temple area. Within the temple complex's walls stand five buildings. The first four, set on either side of the central axis, were used for preparing the ceremony.
At the northern end of the temple area, on top of the central axis, stands the altar building. It was here that the rites of worship were carried out. The building houses representations of the dead emperor. In front of the altar building, the emperor and his household would make offerings to their ancestors. To the south west of the altar stands a small stone structure in which offerings, after being presented on the altar, would be burnt.
Beyond the altar building, a final gate leads out of the temple area to the wall of the tomb mound itself. The underground tomb remains sealed, its contents hidden from view. Within lies Emperor Huang Taji, and his consorts along with a multitude of priceless offerings.
References
- ^ "Imperial Tombs of the Ming and Qing Dynasties". UNESCO World Heritage Centre. United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization. Retrieved 10 Apr 2021.
- ^ a b "Imperial Tombs of the Ming and Qing Dynasties" (PDF). UNESCO World Heritage Centre. The State Administration of Cultural Heritage of the People's Republic of China.