Qing Zhaoling

Qing Zhaoling is the mausoleum of the founding emperor of the Qing Dynasty, Aisin Gioro Hong Taiji, and Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang. It covers a vast area and is less crowded with tourists. Personally, I find it more interesting than the Shenyang Imperial Palace, as the palace is often too crowded to fully appreciate. When visiting Qing Zhaoling, tickets can be purchased at the entrance. The ticket for Qing Zhaoling costs 40 RMB, and the ticket for Beiling Park is 5 RMB. You can buy both tickets together on-site, and it is much less crowded compared to the Shenyang Imperial Palace. After entering the park, if you prefer not to walk, there are electric carts available for 10 RMB per person. However, I recommend walking, as the park's paths are lined with pine trees and lotus ponds, making for a pleasant stroll to the main structures. Along the Sacred Way, there are stone carvings of mythical creatures such as lions, Xiezhi, qilin, white horses of various sizes, camels, and elephants. What impressed me the most was the dragon turtle. According to legend, touching its head brings a lifetime free of worries; touching its neck ensures a life free of illness; and touching its back grants longevity and a long life. The dragon carvings are particularly notable for their five claws, as it is said that only emperors could use five-clawed dragons, while commoners were limited to three-clawed dragons.