Qing Dynasty Imperial Mausoleums

Qing Dynasty Imperial Mausoleums

The Qing Dynasty Imperial Mausoleums are protected cultural heritage sites of Tianjin Municipality.

Qing Dynasty Imperial Mausoleums

Era: Qing Dynasty

Location: Jixian County, Tianjin

Category: Ancient Architecture

1. Prince Rong’s Mausoleum Prince Rong’s Mausoleum was built on a terrace on a hillside. The surrounding wall measured fifty-two zhang and six chi. There were three main gates, outside of which stood a guardhouse, and inside were east and west wing rooms. In the center stood a hall with three rooms. Behind the hall was a terrace with a glazed gate, and the back courtyard wall was semi-circular with a rammed-earth burial mound in the center. In 1937, Prince Rong’s Mausoleum was robbed. According to local elders, the underground chamber was made of brick and contained no burial objects. Field investigations show that the outline of the mausoleum is still clear, with the foundation of the ceremonial hall, main gate, and offering hall still faintly visible. A large pit has been dug at the site of the burial mound. There have been virtually no changes in the past decade. The only remaining artifact is a single epitaph tablet for “Prince Rong of the First Rank,” which is housed at the Jixian Cultural Relics Preservation Office.

2. Prince Chun’s Longxi Mausoleum Prince Chun Longxi was the seventh son of Emperor Shunzhi. Emperor Shunzhi had eight sons, among whom the eldest, the fourth (Prince Rong), the sixth, and the eighth all died young, making the seventh son, Longxi, the youngest. Longxi was born on April 22 in the 17th year of Shunzhi’s reign (1660), and his mother was a concubine surnamed Niu. He was granted the title of Prince Chun at the age of fifteen. On July 15 of the 18th year of Kangxi’s reign (1679), he passed away due to illness at the age of twenty and was posthumously honored with the title “Jing.” After Longxi’s death, Emperor Kangxi was deeply saddened and suspended court affairs for three days. The state allocated funds and assigned officials from the Imperial Household Department to build his mausoleum. Before the burial, Emperor Kangxi personally visited the site to offer wine and mourn. The offering hall, glazed gate, and the base of the ceremonial tripod at Prince Chun’s Mausoleum are well preserved. There are also historical relics such as a dais stone and a dragon-carved stele.

3. Prince Yu’s Fuquan Mausoleum

Prince Yu Fuquan’s Mausoleum is the largest and highest-ranking among the imperial mausoleums at Huanghua Mountain, locally known as the “Great King’s Tomb.”

Fuquan was the second son of Emperor Shunzhi, born on October 17 in the 10th year of Shunzhi’s reign (1653) at the hour of Chou. As a child, when Shunzhi asked him about his aspirations, he said, “I wish to be a virtuous prince.” In the 6th year of Kangxi’s reign (1667), he was granted the title of Prince Yu. On June 26 in the 42nd year of Kangxi’s reign (1703), Fuquan passed away due to illness at the age of 51. The relationship between Kangxi and Fuquan was not only that of ruler and subject but also brothers, and they were close in age with deep affection. When Fuquan died, Kangxi was inspecting the frontier. Upon hearing the news, he hurried back to the capital and personally visited the Prince Yu’s estate to offer wine and mourn. Fuquan was posthumously honored with the title “Xian.” Kangxi himself selected the burial site, ordered the supervising censor Luo Zhan to oversee the construction of the mausoleum, and Fuquan was buried on December 12 in the 44th year of Kangxi’s reign (1705). Kangxi again personally visited the mausoleum to offer wine and mourn.

At the southern end of Prince Yu Xian’s Mausoleum, there was originally a stone bridge. Across the bridge were a stele pavilion and east and west ceremonial halls. Further ahead were three main gates, a five-room offering hall, and behind them a glazed gate, a Ming building, and a burial mound. Currently, only the foundations remain above ground, and the underground chamber has been repurposed by villagers for water storage. There is one dragon-carved stele.

4. Prince Li’s Yun? Mausoleum

Prince Li Yun? was the second son of Emperor Kangxi, born to Empress Xiaochengren on the third day of the fifth month in the 13th year of Kangxi’s reign (1674). He was appointed as crown prince twice and deposed twice. After the 51st year of Kangxi’s reign (1712), he lived in confinement for the rest of his life. On December 14 in the 2nd year of Yongzheng’s reign (1724), Yun? died in confinement at the age of 51. Records indicate that the main gate of Prince Li’s Mausoleum was four zhang and five chi wide and two zhang and eight chi deep, with an outer spirit bridge, memorial archway, and guardhouse. Inside the gate was a five-room offering hall, six zhang and two chi wide and four zhang and one chi deep. There were side gates on the east and west, leading to a terrace with a glazed gate and a large burial mound.

After 1927, Prince Li’s Mausoleum was gradually looted and fell into ruin. Based on field investigations, the foundations are well preserved, and most facilities except the spirit bridge and memorial archway can still be faintly made out. The dragon-carved stele was destroyed in 1971. The turtle base was buried underground, with part of the turtle shell exposed on the surface.

5. Prince Heng’s Yunqi Mausoleum

Prince Heng Yunqi was the fifth son of Emperor Kangxi, born to Consort Yi Guoluo on the fourth day of the 12th month in the 18th year of Kangxi’s reign (1679). In the 35th year of Kangxi’s reign (1696), he followed Kangxi in suppressing Galdan’s rebellion, commanding the Imperial Yellow Banner camp. In the 48th year (1709), he was granted the title of Prince Heng. He passed away on May 19 in the 50th year of Yongzheng’s reign (1732) at the age of 54. After the Xinhai Revolution, the auxiliary duke Yu Sen faced financial difficulties. In 1915, a “relic exhumation” took place. Many burial objects were unearthed and divided into three portions. The magistrate of Jixian, Bai, led a guard team for security and received 40% including jewelry, the manager of the Sen estate took 30%, and auxiliary duke Yu Sen received 30%.

The dragon-carved stele was sold to a Japanese merchant. Today, the spirit path bridge, flat bridge, and remains of the underground chamber still exist. The stone funeral bed has been repurposed as a fire prevention water reservoir.

6. Prince Zhi’s Yun? Mausoleum

Yun? was the eldest son of Emperor Kangxi. His mother was Consort Hui. He was born on the 14th day of the 11th month in the 11th year of Kangxi’s reign (1672). He participated in two military campaigns against Galdan and was very dissatisfied that his father did not name him, the eldest son, as crown prince. Thus, he tried every means to undermine Crown Prince Yun?. He even used sorcery to frame Yun?, resulting in the latter’s deposition. He was later reported by Yunzhi and stripped of his princely title, then confined in his own residence for 26 years. He died in confinement on the first day of the 11th month in the 12th year of Yongzheng’s reign (1734) at the age of 63. Emperor Yongzheng had him buried with the rites of a garrison duke. His mausoleum was of lower rank, with common tiles and no stele pavilion. It wasn’t until over 20 years later, after the death of his fourteenth brother Yun?, that his garrison-duke-level mausoleum was expanded. Field investigations show that Yun?’s mausoleum was smaller than those of princes and comparable to Yun?’s. Only gray earth remains on the surface today. According to local villagers, the mausoleum contains an underground chamber, which was opened by militia during the Cultural Revolution and used as an air raid shelter.

7. Zhu Huashan’s Duanhui Crown Prince Mausoleum

On October 12 in the 3rd year of Qianlong’s reign (1738), the second son of Emperor Gaozong (i.e., Emperor Qianlong), Yonglian, passed away. In the 8th year of Qianlong’s reign (1743), the Duanhui Crown Prince Mausoleum at Zhu Huashan, thirty li east of Jizhou City, was completed. On the sixth day of the 11th month, Yonglian’s coffin was laid to rest. The “Collected Statutes of the Great Qing” records: “The Duanhui Crown Prince Mausoleum has one glazed flower gate, one offering hall in the front center, five rooms on each side, one cremation furnace on the east, three main gates on the south with guardhouses outside and three wing rooms on the west, and a perimeter wall 130 zhang and two chi long.”

Also buried here was the seventh son of Emperor Gaozong, Yongcong, born to Empress Xiaoxianchun. After Yonglian’s death, Emperor Gaozong intended for Yongcong to succeed the throne. Yongcong was born on April 8 in the 11th year of Qianlong’s reign (1746) but passed away on December 29 of the following year. He was posthumously honored as “Dao Min Prince” and buried in the 9th month of the 14th year of Qianlong’s reign (1749) with funeral rites befitting a prince. In the 4th year of Jiaqing’s reign (1799), he was posthumously granted the title of Prince Zhe. Within Yongcong’s stone vault were also buried the ninth and tenth sons of Emperor Gaozong. Neither the ninth nor the tenth son was named. The ninth son was born on July 9 in the 13th year of Qianlong’s reign (1748), son of Noble Consort Jinjia. He passed away on April 27 in the 14th year of Qianlong’s reign (1749) and was interred in the same vault. The tenth son was born on May 19 in the 16th year of Qianlong’s reign (1751), son of Concubine Yehenara. He passed away on June 7 in the 18th year of Qianlong’s reign (1753) and was interred in the vault in July.

To the right of the Duanhui Crown Prince’s burial mound is a brick vault, where the 13th, 14th, and 16th sons of Emperor Gaozong are buried. The 13th son, Yong?, was born on December 21 in the 20th year of Qianlong’s reign (1755), son of Empress Nara. He passed away on July 24 in the 22nd year (1757). The 14th son, Yonglu, was born on July 17 in the 22nd year of Qianlong’s reign (1757), son of Empress Wei Jia. He passed away on March 8 in the 25th year (1760) and was interred that year. The unnamed 16th son was born on November 30 in the 27th year of Qianlong’s reign (1762), son of Empress Wei Jia. He passed away on March 17 in the 30th year (1765) and was interred that year.

Inside the glazed gate, three burial mounds are lined up in a row like a brush rack, commonly called Brush Rack Hill. In the southeast corner of the mounds lies the burial site of the eighth daughter of Emperor Gaozong. She was the daughter of Noble Consort Daijia, daughter of Governor Nasutu, and died at the age of 11. Her tomb is called “Tianluo Pool.”

To the west of Zhu Huashan Mausoleum is the “Crown Prince Twelve’s Mausoleum.” It houses the second son of Emperor Gaozong, Yong?, born on April 25 in the 17th year of Qianlong’s reign (1752), son of Empress Ulana. He passed away suddenly on January 28 in the 41st year of Qianlong’s reign (1776) at the age of 25. His primary consort, Borjigit, was posthumously granted the title of Beile in the 4th year of Jiaqing’s reign (1799). The mausoleum is slightly smaller in scale, and the offering hall is covered with tube tiles.

Inside the glazed gate, three treasure mounds are lined up in a row resembling a brush rack, commonly known as Brush Rack Mountain. In the southeastern corner of the treasure mounds lies the burial site of the eighth daughter of Emperor Qianlong. She was the daughter of Noble Consort Xin Daijia and Narsu, the governor, and died at the age of 11. The tomb is called "Tianluo Pool."

To the west of the Zhuhuashan Imperial Tomb Complex lies the "Tomb of the Twelfth Imperial Prince." It houses the remains of Yong? (Yong?), the second son of Emperor Qianlong, who was born on April 25 of the 17th year of the Qianlong reign. His mother was Empress Ulanara. He passed away suddenly on January 28 of the 41st year of Qianlong’s reign, at the age of 25. His primary princess consort, Borjigit, was posthumously granted the title of Beile in March of the 4th year of the Jiaqing reign. The tomb complex is slightly smaller in scale, and the Hall of Worship is covered with tubular tiles.

After 1927, the Huanghua Mountain Mausoleum to the north of Zhushan Mountain became a gathering place for "outlaws and rebels," where hundreds of people banded together. The Zhushan Mountain Mausoleum was looted by this gang of bandits.

8. Prince Xun’s Tomb (Yun?)

Prince Xun Yun? was the fourteenth son of Emperor Kangxi, his birth mother being Empress Xiaogongren, making him a full brother to Emperor Yongzheng. Yun? was born on the ninth day of the first lunar month in the 27th year of Kangxi’s reign. During the power struggle for the throne, he was a formidable rival to Yinzhen.

After Yinzhen ascended the throne as Emperor Yongzheng, he immediately recalled Yun? from the front lines and ordered him to guard the tomb of their imperial father, Jingling, instructing him to “contemplate Jingling and deeply repent his past misdeeds.” Later, Yun? was confined in the Shouhuang Hall. Ten years later, after Emperor Qianlong ascended the throne, Yun? was released. He was initially granted the title of Duke, then promoted to Beile, and finally to Prince Xun. He passed away on the sixth day of the first lunar month in the 20th year of Qianlong’s reign at the age of 68, posthumously honored with the title “Qin” (Diligent). His second son, Hongming, was also buried in the mausoleum.

The above-ground structures of Prince Xun Yun?’s tomb have been destroyed, and the underground palace was looted before liberation. Two stone stelae remain: one is the merit stele of Prince Xun Yun?, standing 434 cm tall and 128 cm wide. Most uniquely, each side of the stele is carved with a five-clawed dragon, a feature that is unique not only among the six princely tombs but also throughout the entire Eastern Qing Tombs area. Beneath the stele lies a giant ao (mythical turtle-dragon), measuring 230 cm in length, 139 cm in width, and with a head height of 146 cm. The ao’s water basin features carvings of fish, turtles, shrimp, and crabs. The other stele is that of Hongming, located to the left of Yun?’s stele. It stands 347 cm tall, 100 cm wide, and 36 cm thick. The ao beneath it measures 230 cm in length and 107 cm in width, with a head height of 100 cm, but its water basin has no carvings. Scattered around the stelae are numerous exquisitely carved stone gate elements.

9. Prince Hengke’s Tomb (Honghongyu)

Honghongyu was the second son of Prince Heng, born on August 26, 1700 (the 39th year of Kangxi’s reign), and inherited the title of Prince Heng in September 1732 (the 10th year of Yongzheng’s reign). He passed away on the sixth day of the sixth lunar month in 1775 (the 40th year of Qianlong’s reign) at the age of 76. Locals refer to Honghongyu’s tomb as the Northern Tomb. North of the Divine Bridge, it is larger in scale than most princely tombs, though even descendants of princes were not allowed to walk through it. To the east is a small bridge, and south of the bridge, a guard with a black-and-red stick specifically monitored the area—only pedestrians could pass. Beyond the Divine Bridge are three east and west side halls, with a memorial archway in the center. To the north are the palace gates, three bays wide, connected to red walls on the east and west. Inside the gates is the main hall, five bays wide. Behind it is a terrace, enclosed by a purple wall, housing a burial mound over three meters high. The underground palace has stone vaults, accommodating a total of five coffins.

On-site investigation shows that some remnants are still identifiable.

10. Prince Hengjing’s Tomb (Yong??)

Prince Hengjing Yong??’s tomb is located in Jinxingyu Valley, west of Guoxiangyu Village, and also features structures such as a Divine Bridge and a flat bridge.

Yong?? was the tenth son of Prince Hengke Honghongyu, born on November 20, 1757 (the 22nd year of Qianlong’s reign), and died on November 24, 1788 (the 53rd year of Qianlong’s reign) at the age of 32. In 1940, a Japanese officer named Nanmu visited Jinxingyu and specifically examined the inscription on Prince Hengjing’s stele. In 1865 (the fourth year of Tongzhi’s reign), Yu Sen, who inherited the title of Fuguo Gong (Supporter Duke), commonly known as “Ma Gongye,” was known for his strength—he could reportedly break copper coins in half with bare hands. He passed away around 1932, and after his death, Sartuoke, who managed the household, buried him in Foshouyu, southwest of the Northern Tomb, near the Catfish Ridge and Cat Head Gully, constructing an earthen tomb.

In ancient Chinese tomb systems, the emperor’s grave was called a “ling” (陵), while those of princes, dukes, and ministers were called “qin” (寝). The northeastern mountainous region of Ji County contains numerous imperial tombs from the Qing Dynasty. These tombs are separated from the Eastern Qing Tombs by just one mountain and are, in fact, part of the Eastern Qing Tombs complex. The individuals buried here were mostly key figures of the Qing imperial family, including princes, dukes, and high-ranking officials who served as both generals and statesmen. The construction of these tombs near the Eastern Qing Tombs was “granted by imperial decree,” marking a special honor. Though long abandoned and overgrown, with above-ground structures gone and underground palaces looted, the green hills remain, and the foundations endure. Every brick and tile here speaks volumes of cultural significance, making it a rare cultural and historical resource for studying Qing Dynasty history.

Further Reading:

·Fourth Batch of Tianjin Municipal Cultural Heritage Protection Units