Yuling, Eastern Qing Tombs, Tangshan, Hebei

Yuling is the tomb of the Qianlong Emperor, Aisin Gioro Hongli, of the Qing Dynasty. It is located in Shengshuiyu, Eastern Qing Tombs, Zunhua, Tangshan, Hebei. Construction began on February 10, 1743, and was completed in 1752. The tomb covers an area of about 460,000 square meters and cost more than 1.78 million taels of silver to build. The Yuling tomb mound is built in a circular city wall. Under the tomb mound is the underground palace. In front of the city wall is a square city wall, on top of which is the Ming Tower. In front of the square city wall are the stone five offerings, two-pillar gate, glazed flower gate, jade belt river, and tomb gate. Outside the tomb gate is the Long'en Hall, which has five rooms. In front of the Long'en Hall are the east and west side halls, east and west stoves, and Long'en Gate, all surrounded by red walls. Outside the Long'en Gate are the east and west duty rooms, each with three rooms. In front is a horse trough ditch, with three stone arch bridges side by side. Further ahead are the east and west worship rooms, each with five rooms. Further south are the Shinto stele pavilion, archway gate, and Yuling Shinto, with eight pairs of stone statues on both sides of the Shinto. The underground palace of Yuling is the burial place of the Qianlong Emperor, Empress Xiaoxianchun, Empress Xiaoyichun, and three imperial concubines, Huixian, Zhemin, and Shujia, for a total of six people. In 1978, Yuling and its underground palace were opened to the public. In 2000, the Eastern Qing Tombs, including Yuling, were listed as a World Cultural Heritage site. In 2015, the Eastern Qing Tombs Scenic Area was rated as a 5A-level tourist attraction in China.