Shenyang - Northern Imperial Tomb (Mausoleum of Light) Bei Ling (Zhaoling)

Also known as the ''Mausoleum of Light'' (Zhaoling), the Northern Imperial Tomb is a popular place with day visitors. It is situated in the north of the city in the middle of a park. The architectural style represents a successful combination of the traditionally arranged Chinese burial sites and the castle-like buildings of the early Qing period - a masterpiece of an amalgamation of Han and Manchurian art.

Buried here is Huang Taiji (reigned 1626-35) and his wife. The building work on the 180,000sq.m/215,280sq.yd tomb site was begun in 1643 and completed eight years later. It is the best preserved and largest of the three imperial mausoleums in and around Shenyang.

The ''Path of Souls'' is lined with stone columns and two stone sculptures of horses, depicting the emperor's two favorite animals.