11km (7 miles) northeast of Shenyang, is the Dong Ling (Eastern Imperial Tomb) is where the first emperor of the Qing Dynasty, Nu Er Ha Chi, and his wife were buried. The grounds are pleasant and attractive, with flowers, shrubs, and many ancient trees.

It is the resting place to Nurhaci, the Manchu leader who united the tribes of the Northeast into a front that would, in 1644, seize power in the wake of the overthrow of the Ming dynasty and rule China until this century. His tomb is perched atop Mount Tianzhu on the city's outskirts, a pleasant area shielded by ancient trees and solitude. 108 steps (the number of beads on a Buddhist rosary) lead to a small walled city of grey brick atop the hill, and magpies were the only other visitors the afternoon I was there.