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Zhaoling Tomb is also called The Bei Tomb. It lies in the north of Shenyang and is the tomb of the second Qing Emperor Huantaiji and Empress Xiaoduanwen. Completed in 1651 with a history of over 350 years, Zhaoling Tomb is the largest among the three tombs north of Shanhaiguan Pass.
It is divided into three parts: the first part is from the Horse Dismounting Tablet to the Zhenghong (Red) Gate. The main structures are cloud pillars, stone bridge, stone lions, and stone tablets. From the Red Gate to the Square City is the second part. The main structures are two pairs of cloud pillars, six pairs of stone animals: stone lions, stone unicorns, stone Xiezhi, stone camels, stone horses and stone elephants. The horses were said modeled after Emperor Huangtaiji's best favored two riders, the "Big White" and the "Little White". Among the stone animals on the north axis is Tablet Pavilion, the Zhaoling Tomb Great Deeds Tablet, on which an inscription of Emperor Kangxi was carved. At the east and west sides of the Tablet Pavilion, there are Tea and Fruit House, Dinning House, and Dish-washing House. The Square City, Crescent City, and Treasure Top form the third part. The main structures are Longen Hall, East and West Halls, Longen Gate, Ming Tower, Burning Silk Pavilion and Underground Palace. On the wall at each corner of the Square City, there is a guard tower.
The first and second parts of the Tomb were the preparation sections for worship and sacrifice, the third part is the main one. After the founding of new China, many reconstructions have been done and many flowers and plants have been grown, Zhaoling Tomb Park has taken a new look.
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