The Rise of Nurhaci and the Birth of a Dynasty

The story of Fuling Mausoleum begins with Nurhaci (1559–1626), the visionary chieftain who unified the Jurchen tribes and laid the foundation for the Qing Dynasty. After his death in 1626, his successor, Hong Taiji, sought a burial site worthy of a dynastic founder. The chosen location—20 li east of Shenyang—would become one of the most significant imperial tombs of the early Qing era.

Nestled against the natural屏障 of Huishan Mountain (265.8 meters high) and Xinglong Ridge, with the Hun River flowing before it, the site embodied perfect feng shui principles. Court geomancers praised its “winding rivers embracing mountains, brimming with auspicious energy.” In 1629, construction began under Hong Taiji’s orders, initially named “Taizu Ling” (太祖陵, Ancestral Emperor’s Tomb). By 1651, the site was ceremonially renamed “Tianzhu Shan” (天柱山, Heaven-Supporting Mountain), symbolizing its role in upholding the Mandate of Heaven for the Qing.

Architectural Grandeur: A Tomb Fit for an Empire-Builder

Spanning 2,960 zhang (approx. 9.5 km) with a 20-li perimeter, Fuling was designed as a microcosm of imperial power. Three concentric security zones—marked by blue, white, and red stakes—protected the sacred grounds. The complex evolved through multiple expansions, culminating in two distinct sections:

### The Outer Precinct: Gateway to Eternity
Approaching from the Hun River’s north bank, visitors once encountered a ceremonial axis featuring:
– A dismounting stele (requiring all to proceed on foot)
– Ornamental red pillars and lion statues
– The iconic 108 Steps—a stairway symbolizing the 108 earthly desires overcome in Buddhism
Today, only the main gate (Dahongmen), spirit way, stone statues, and stele pavilion survive from this once-lavish approach.

### The Square City: Heart of the Mausoleum
Enclosed by towering walls, this inner sanctum held:
– Sacrificial Zone (South): The Long’en Gate, flanked by watchtowers, led to the Long’en Hall—where emperors performed rites before Nurhaci’s spirit tablet. Twin side halls stored ritual implements.
– Burial Zone (North): Beyond a stone altar and Ming-style tower lay the earth-covered tumulus (baoding), concealing the underground palace. Three urns containing Nurhaci, Empress Xiaocigao, and Consort Ula Nara rested here—testaments to the Manchu tradition of cremation.

Controversies and Mysteries: Who Truly Rests Within?

Historical debates persist about Fuling’s occupants due to:
1. Sparse early Qing documentation
2. Possible relocations during renovations
While most scholars accept the primary trio’s presence, some speculate about secondary burials. The adjacent Shoukang Concubine Cemetery—housing 14 of Nurhaci’s consorts—was tragically destroyed during the 1905 Russo-Japanese War, erasing crucial evidence.

Cultural Legacy: Feng Shui, Power, and Memory

Fuling’s design reflected three intertwined ideologies:
1. Manchu Identity: Cremation practices distinguished it from Han-style tombs
2. Cosmology: The 108 Steps merged Buddhist symbolism with imperial grandeur
3. Geomancy: Its mountain-river alignment visually declared Qing legitimacy

Modern Liáoníng Province has preserved Fuling as a UNESCO World Heritage Site (part of “Imperial Tombs of Ming and Qing Dynasties”). Annual ceremonies by Manchu descendants and its depiction on the 100-yuan banknote (1980s) underscore its enduring symbolism—a stone embodiment of China’s last dynasty’s rise from northeastern frontiers to continental dominance.

Epilogue: When Cannon Fire Met Sacred Grounds

The 20th century brought violence to these tranquil grounds. During the Russo-Japanese War, Russian artillery shells devastated the concubine cemetery—a stark reminder of how imperial sanctity collided with modern warfare. Today, as tourists climb the 108 Steps, they tread between layers of history: the martial glory of Nurhaci, the architectural genius of Hong Taiji, and the fragile persistence of memory against time’s relentless march.