Intricate carvings symbolizing happiness, prosperity and longevity can be found on the walls. On the arched beams and ceilings are gilded golden paintings portraying images like those of golden dragons coiled around the pillars. Such designs are not seen in other mausoleums. The underground palace of Cixi's tomb -- the first underground tomb of an empress to be excavated in China so far -- has been opened to the public.

 Huiling Mausoleum

Located in Shuangshanyu, six km southeast of Jingling, is the tomb of Emperor Tongzhi. Tongzhi became emperor when he was just six years old and reigned as a puppet emperor for 13 years (1862-1874). He died at the age of 19.

Huifeiling is the tomb of Emperor Tongzhi's concubine, located half a km west of Huiling.

Another tomb, the Zhaoxi Tomb of Empress Xiaozhuangwen, is located outside the big red gate. Originally Xiaozhuangwen was the concubine of Huangtaiji Emperor Tai Zong (1592-1643). But when Emperor Kangxi ascended to the throne she became empress dowager. During the reigns of Yong Zheng and Qianlong, 45 years after her death, she was known as Empress Xiaozhuangwen. She lived more than 20 years longer than her son, Emperor Shunzhi, and died at the age of 75 in the 26th year of the reign of Kangxi (1687).

At the beginning of Kangxi's reign, Xiaozhuangwen played an important role in state affairs from behind a screen at the rear of the throne as empress dowager. She set a precedent for Cixi to usurp power later on. Xiaozhuangwen said to Kangxi before she died: "Emperor Tai Zong has been dead for a long time, his tomb should not be disturbed for me. Besides, I am always concerned about you and your father, so, after I die my body should be buried near Xiaoling Mausoleum."

Taizong, her first husband, was buried in Zhaoling Mausoleum in Shenyang; according to court policy Xiaozhuangwen's body should also be buried near Zhaoling Mausoleum. Still, there is some conjecture about why she chose Xiaoling Mausoleum over Zhaoling. There is more to the story than just Xiaozhuangwen's profound affection for Emperor Kangxi and his father.

It is known that at the beginning of Shunzhi's reign Xiaozhuangwen was respected as the "mother of China." But, when she was remarried to her brother-in-law after Huangtaiji's death, she became the wife of the regent Dorgon. (Although this may not be an astonishing event, it is, nevertheless, rare in Chinese history.) Regent Dorgon was haughty and domineering on the throne, falling into disrepute and becoming a target of strong public criticism by the time of his death. Naturally, Xiaozhuangwen was reluctant to be buried with him under such circumstances.

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