SHENYANG is the old capital of Manchuria or (Dongbei) and the capital of Liaoning province. Its early role as trading centre for nomads and the different peoples of northern China has left it with a rich ethnic mix. The major industrial city of the north east, this is a centre for trade, a major rail junction (all the major train lines of the north-east meet here) and home to a number of factories that have been laid open to the public as examples of Chinese endeavour. About a 12 hour train ride from Beijing (one hour and a half by plane), this city is well known in China as an important power base for the more radical factions in Chinese politics. Yuanxin, Mao's nephew was deputy party secretary here until he was thrown into jail in 1976. But Shenyang's real heyday was in the early 17c. when it was capital of the expanding Manchu empire. Later, when the Manchus turned their sights on Beijing, Shenyang was forgotten, only becoming important again when it was a centre of the railway-building activities of the Russians in the late 19c. Under them, the city became a key rail and trade centre. Years after, the puppets of the Japanese state set up shop here, exploiting the resourses of the surrounding region and building an industrial infrastructure that sent all the profits back home. The Imperial Palace was built in the early 17c in homage to the Manchurian dynasty. This palace was modelled like the palace in Beijing but much smaller. Divided into 3 parts: the first is the Cong Zheng Dian, a low wooden frontal hall where the emperor first proclaimed the Qing dynasty and which was used by ministers to discuss state affairs. Beyond, in the second courtyard stand the Phoenix Tower, most formal of the ceremonial halls. The Qing Ning LO served as bedrooms for the emperor and his concubines.
Passing through to the eastern section of the complex is the Da Zheng Dian, a squat octagonal wooden structure in vivid red and lacquered gold, with two pillars cut with writining golden dragons in high relief. Here, the emperor Chun Chih was crowned before seizing power- and the empire- in Beijing in 1644. Just in front stand ten square pavilions, the Shi Wang once used as offices by the chieftains of the eight Banners of the Empire (Banners were the districts over which they ruled) and now housing a collection of weaponry.
The Tombs of Tai Zong and Nurhachi set in the Beiling and Dongling parks are also of the Manchu dynasty.
These tombs are found at either side of the town- to the north and east of Shenyang respectively and some distance apart. At the far end of a long drive lined with animal sculptures is Tai Zong's tomb. Probably the most impressive of the two. Tai Zong is well preserved complete with altar for sacrificial offerings in the Long en Dian. The burial mound of the emperor and empress is at the rear. Within the park, in the easternmost of the pavilions flanking the entrance, subsequent emperors would wash before paying their respects at the altar. Pigs and sheep were slaughtered as sacrifice in the other. On the other side, in Dowling park, the tomb of Nurhachi which is similar but less monumental in layout is perched on a hill overlooking the river.
