Zhaoling Tomb is located in Beiling Park, the largest park in Shenyang. It is the mausoleum of Huang Taiji (Emperor Taizong) of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1912) and his queen Bo'erjijite. Huang Taiji was the eighth son of Nurhachi, a great leader who established the Later Jin State and laid the foundation of the Qing Dynasty. As the tomb lies to the north of Shenyang City, it is usually called Beiling (North Tomb). Its total area is 4,500,000 square meters (1,112 acres).
Construction of the mausoleum began in 1643 and was finished after eight years. Zhaoling Tomb, together with Fuling Tomb in Shenyang and Yongling Tomb in Xinbin are called the Three Mausoleums of the strategic pass (referring to the area between the east of Shanhaiguan Pass and the west of Jiayuguan Pass). Zhaoling is the largest and most magnificent. It is also one of the best preserved imperial mausoleums of China.
This image was taken by John P. Schooley, FAIA, during the 1982 People-to-People Architecture Delegation to the People's Republic_access of China. The People-to-People Citizen Ambassador Program sponsored the delegation lead by Professor David Glasser of the Department of Architecture, University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee. This delegation allowed architects and planners from the United States to visit landmarks as well as communities at various scales, and to meet professionals involved in their planning and continued development.
Submitted by John Schooley, FAIA.
