Beiling Park (北陵公园), the largest park in Shenyang, is home to the tomb of the second emperor of the Qing Dynasty, Emperor Huang Taiji, and Empress Xiaoduanwen, known as Zhaoling Mausoleum (昭陵). Covering an area of 3.18 million square meters, Zhaoling was built in 1643 during the eighth year of the Chongde reign and completed in 1651, during the Shunzhi reign. Over time, it underwent expansions and renovations by later Qing emperors, including Kangxi and Qianlong. As a result, Zhaoling developed into a vast and well-preserved imperial burial site, making it the largest and most intact among the Three Imperial Tombs of Shengjing.
In 1927, the Zhaoling Mausoleum was transformed into a public park by the provincial government of Fengtian (now Liaoning), and it was named Beiling Park due to its location in the northern part of the city.
Zhaoling Mausoleum combines traditional Chinese imperial tomb culture with ethnic elements, blending Han, Tibetan, Mongolian, and Manchu architectural styles. This unique fusion gives the site a distinct style, setting it apart from other Ming and Qing royal tombs in central China. The entire Beiling Park offers a scenic and historical view, especially during traditional festivals, when cultural performances and Qing Dynasty rituals are held, offering visitors a great opportunity to learn about Qing history and customs.
Table of Contents
- Basic Information
- Location and Transportation
- Highlights of Beiling Park (Zhaoling Mausoleum)
- Vlog about Beiling Park
- Attractions Near Beiling Park
Basic Information
Estimated Length of Tour | 2 hours |
Ticket Price | 6 RMB |
Opening Hours | 5.00 – 21.00 |
Telephone Number | 0086-024-86896294 0086-024-86901330 |
Location and Transportation
Beiling Park is located at No. 12 Taishan Road, Huanggu District, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, China. To get there, you can choose one of the following ways:
Bus: Take bus 130, 136, 205, 210, 213, 217, 220, 227, 231, 242, 245, or 290 and get off at Beiling Park Stop (北陵公园站).
Metro: The closest metro station to the attraction is Beiling Park (北陵公园) on line 2. After getting out of the station from Exit E, walk about 250 meters to the east to reach the tourist center.
Highlights of Beiling Park (Zhaoling Mausoleum)
Zhenghong Gate (Great Red Gate)

Zhenghong Gate (正红门), also known as the Front Palace Gate or the Great Red Gate, is the primary entrance to the imperial tomb complex and marks the start of the ceremonial area. Built in 1649, during the sixth year of Emperor Shunzhi’s reign, it is located 35.5 meters north of the stone stele pavilion. The gate stands 8.775 meters high and 15.955 meters wide, with a roof fully covered in five types of yellow glazed tiles. The roof has one main ridge and four descending side ridges, adorned with dragon decorations and three animal figures on the auxiliary ridges.
The central entrance of the gate, called the “Spirit Gate,” was reserved for the spirits of Emperor Hong Taiji and Empress Xiaoduanwen. This gate was only opened during grand sacrificial ceremonies, where offerings were brought in by soldiers. No one else was permitted to pass through. To the east of the Spirit Gate is the “Emperor’s Gate,” used by the emperor during visits, while the “Ministers’ Gate” on the west side was for officials. The eastern and western side gates were used by attendants and servants. However, in practice, the emperor often used the side gates instead of the designated ones when visiting the tomb during imperial inspections.
Spirit Path (Divine Path)

North of the Great Red Gate, three straight stone-paved paths lead deeper into the tomb complex. The central path, aligned with the “Spirit Gate (神道),” is called the Spirit Path, also known as the “Ceremonial Path.” This sacred route was reserved for the soul of the deceased emperor to travel in and out of the tomb. The Spirit Path at Zhaoling begins at the Spirit Gate of the Zhenghong Gate and extends to the shadow wall of the Crescent City, covering a distance of 325 meters.
According to the burial traditions of the Ming and Qing dynasties, several restrictions were placed on the Spirit Path. It was essential that the Spirit Path should not offer a direct view from one end to the other, symbolizing an unbroken flow of good “feng shui.” To achieve this, structures like shadow walls or gates were typically constructed along the path. At Zhaoling, instead of a shadow wall, a pavilion housing the Sacred Virtue Stele was built. Like the Spirit Gate, the Spirit Path was considered sacred and inviolable. Apart from sacrificial ceremonies, where offerings and prayers were carried, it was strictly prohibited for anyone to walk on it.
Stone Statues (Shixiangsheng)

The stone statues, known as Shixiangsheng (石像生), are located 26.4 meters inside the Zhenghong Gate and were erected in 1650, during the seventh year of Emperor Shunzhi’s reign. These statues line both sides of the Spirit Path and include stone lions, Xiezhi (a mythical beast symbolizing justice), Qilin, horses, camels, and elephants. Each stone beast stands on a square pedestal called a Sumeru base, which is 1 meter high, 2.7 meters long, and 1.5 meters wide. The base is intricately carved with patterns like pomegranates, scrolling grass, and floral designs, with ancient coins engraved at the four corners. The detailed carving of the base enhances the grandeur and imposing nature of the statues.
These stone statues serve a decorative purpose and symbolize the ceremonial guard of honor for the tomb, marking the status and identity of the tomb’s occupant. In ancient Chinese burial customs, emperors were the highest rulers, and even after death, their tombs were constructed to resemble palaces, complete with stone figures like guards and beasts to symbolize the emperor’s continued protection and royal authority in the afterlife.
Fangcheng (Square City)

Fangcheng, or Square City (方城), was constructed in 1644, the first year of Emperor Shunzhi’s reign, and modeled after the auxiliary fortifications of the Shengjing capital. It serves as a scaled-down representation of the main city of Shengjing. The city walls stand 6.15 meters high, with a north-south length of 146 meters and an east-west length of 120 meters. Each corner of the city features a prominent corner tower atop a platform. The walls are made of green bricks, with crenellations on the east, west, and south sides, while the north side is built with a solid parapet.
At the center of the front (south) and rear (north) walls are raised platforms with arched gateways, with the southern gate called the Long’en Gate and the northern one known as the Ming Tower. Stairs on either side of the gates allow for access. The pathway on top of the wall is 5.4 meters wide and paved with green bricks, sloping slightly inward for drainage. The imposing architecture, with its watchtowers and ramparts, gives Fangcheng the appearance of a fortified castle.
Inside Fangcheng are two auxiliary buildings, two side halls, the Burning Pavilion (Liaolu), the Hall of Long’en, the Double-Pillar Gate (Lingxing Gate), and the Stone Sacrificial Altar, all of which contribute to the tomb’s layout and ceremonial function.
Long’en Hall

Long’en Hall (隆恩殿), also known as the “Sacrificial Hall” or “Offering Hall,” serves as the site for enshrining the spirit tablets of Emperor Huang Taiji and his empress, Xiaoduanwen. It was initially constructed in September of the eighth year of Emperor Chongde’s reign (1643). In November of the seventh year of Emperor Shunzhi’s reign (1650), it was officially named Long’en Hall, with a plaque installed at that time.
At the rear of the hall is a large, enclosed warm chamber, draped with yellow satin. Following the ancient practice of “serving the dead as if they were alive,” this chamber resembles a sleeping area. Inside the chamber is a divine bed with curtains, pillows, and bedding made from imperial-grade bright yellow satin embroidered with cloud patterns. There is also a smaller warm chamber inside that houses the spirit tablets of Emperor Huang Taiji and Empress Xiaoduanwen. The tablets, inscribed with their posthumous titles in both Manchu and Chinese, are placed here. In front of the warm chamber are offering tables and thrones decorated with dragon and phoenix motifs. During grand ceremonies, the spirit tablets are moved to the thrones to receive offerings.
Treasure City and Treasure Mound

The Treasure City (宝城), also called “Luoyuan Wall,” is a semi-circular structure standing 6 meters tall with a circumference of 202 meters. Built of green bricks, it features symbolic crenellations and parapets, as well as drainage structures known as “lotus leaf bottles” to manage rainwater.
At the center of the Treasure City is the Treasure Mound, a 7-meter-high earthen mound with a circumference of about 110 meters, made from a mixture of lime, sand, and yellow earth. Following the tradition of the imperial tombs, a single elm tree was planted at the center of the mound in the 1980s, mimicking the practice at the ancestral tomb (Qing Yongling).
Beneath the Treasure Mound lies the underground palace, the heart of the mausoleum, where the cremated remains of Emperor Huang Taiji and Empress Xiaoduanwen are interred in urns known as “Treasure Palaces,” as there are no coffins used in this burial.