Qingdong Ling (Eastern Tomb of Qing Dynasty), a collection of imperial tombs for Emperor and Imperial Concubines of the Qing Dynasty, is the largest as well as one of the best preserved imperial tombs which still available throughout China. There are a total of five imperial tombs groups within Qingdong Ling which consist of Shunzhi Xiao Ling (Imperial Tomb for Emperor Shunzhi), Kangxi Jing Ling (Imperial Tomb for Emperor Kangxi), Qianlong Yu Ling (Imperial Tomb for Emperor Qianlong), Xianfeng Ding Ling (Imperial Tomb for Emperor Xianfeng) and Tongzhi Hui Ling (Imperial Tomb for Emperor Tongzhi). Besides that, there are also four Empress Tombs, five Imperial Concubines Courtyards and one Princess Tomb. It was estimated that a total of 161 persons consisted of five Emperors, 15 Empress, 136 imperial concubines, 2 princesses and 3 princes had been buried within this area.
According to the history, most of the important figures within Qing Dynasty were buried here which include Emperor Shunzhi - the first emperor of the Qing Dynasty after Beijing was declared as the capital, Emperor Kangxi – the Emperor who contributed a lot in creating the Empire of Qing Dynasty, Emperor Qianlong – the Emperor who possessed greatest knowledge, Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang, Empress Dowager Cixi as well as the legendary Xiang Fei (Fragrance Concubine). Before the Manchurian of Qing Dynasty entered the pass and set their capital in Beijing, three imperial tombs were built outside Beijing which includes Yong Ling (Everlasting Tomb), Fu Ling (Prosperity Tomb) and Zhao Ling. However, no specific systems and building standards applied on these three imperial tombs of Qing Dynasty as the imperial family of Qing Dynasty does not have any specific guide line for the architecture of the imperial tombs. Anyway, after the Qing Empire was settled in Beijing, the construction of the Qing imperial tombs were basically followed the systems and building standards which inherited from Ming Dynasty.
The overall architecture of Eastern Tomb of Qing Dynasty was magnificently designed with impressive groups of building architectures. Many greatest designs throughout China can be found within these over 580 unit single ancient building structures within this imperial tomb. For example, the widest stone archway throughout China, the best preserved Holy Path with length over 6 kilometers, the impressive Buddhism stone sculptures which located in Qianlong Yu Ling (Imperial Tomb for Emperor Qianlong) as well as the luxurious design of golden hall at Putuoyu Ding Dong Ling (Imperial Tomb for Empress Dowager Cixi). The unique stone sculpture which design with the phoenix above the dragon was never seen throughout the history of China.
The imperial tombs within the Eastern Tomb of Qing Dynasty was built with Shunzhi Xiao Ling (Imperial Tomb for Emperor Shunzhi) as the geographical center and seemed to be queued properly along the southern slope of Changrui Hill. A total of 15 tomb yards can be found within Eastern Tomb of Qing Dynasty. The first tomb yard within this area was the tomb for Emperor Shunzhi named as Shunzhi Xiao Ling (Imperial Tomb for Emperor Shunzhi) which built in 1661. The construction within this area had been kept on continuously for about 247 years until year 1908. The last construction project which was taken place here was the construction for Putuoyu Ding Dong Ling (Imperial Tomb for Empress Dowager Cixi).