The Eastern Qing Tombs near Beijing
Near the town of Malanyu in Hebei Province is the site of the Eastern Qing Tombs. They are about 80 miles east of Beijing. Five emperors, 14 empresses, and 136 concubines are buried in an area covering about 965 square miles here. The site is China's largest group of imperial tombs. The Ming Dynasty was the last dynasty of China in which the nation's rulers where actually Chinese. The Qing, who assumed power in 1644, were ethnic Manchus. Manchu political organization dates to 1559 when Nargaci founded a kingdom that was partly under Ming Chinese rule. Nargaci's son conquered the Koreans; in 1636 he gave his people the name "Manchu" and declared the beginning of the Qing (meaning "pure") Dynasty in his kingdom north of the Great Wall. Ming China in 1644 was experiencing rebellion within; the Qings used the opportunity and captured Beijing. It was another 30 to 40 years, however, before all of China was under their control… The tombs follow closely the model of the Ming tombs. A large white marble gate marks the entrance to the Eastern Qing Tombs. Visitors then go through a second gate, the Great Palace Gate, to officially enter the tombs and on to a third gate, the Dragon and Phoenix Gate. The grounds include almost 100 bridges. Emperor Xiaoling's Tomb is the most elaborate of the Eastern Qing Tombs. Xiaoling was the first Qing Emperor to rule China. The Tomb of Emperor Qianlong is open to the public. Qianlong rule China for 60 years at the peak of Qing power. The tomb's three underground chambers are about 65 feet below ground level. They are filled with Buddhist art and inscriptions in Sanskrit and Tibetan. The Tomb of Empress Dowager Cixi is also open to the public. It is about half a mile west of Qianlong's tomb. Cixi had her Hall of Eminent Favours redesigned after he husband's death. It is perhaps the single most remarkable room in any of the tombs. Also worth a visit are the 38 burial mounds of Emperor Qianlong's concubines.Comments
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