In the Fuling Mausoleum rests the founder of the Qing Dynasty, Nurhachi, and his wife Xiao Ci Gao. It was built in the late Jin Dynasty (1629). Emperor Huang Tai Ji renamed the tomb to Fuling, thus making it the first mausoleum of the Qing Dynasty. The tomb still has 32 intact buildings, as well as various statues and steles. What makes this tomb special is that unlike all subsequent tombs built according to the strict system of the Ming tombs, it has retained influences from Manchu and regional architectural styles. Through the Zhenghon Gate, one proceeds along the sacred way with its guardian figures. This is followed by a sacred bridge with 108 steps. At the end of the bridge are the service buildings such as the kitchen, guardhouse, and dressing room. Passing by a stele, you reach the main building, the Xiang Palace. Behind the Xiang Palace, surrounded by a wall, is the burial mound. The mausoleum itself cannot be entered.
