Directory_and_Chronicle_1918 — Page 745

Directories & Chronicles 香港指南 All

MUKDEN

671

deal of building has been going on during recent years. The new buildings are nearly always in semi foreign style, and hardly a street retains a purely Chinese appearance. At two points of junction of three main streets, and therefore not quite in the middle of the city, are placed two towers called the Bell Tower and the Drum Tower respectively. The street between these towers is the principal business street of Mukden, and in it are situated all the most important shops and banks. The whole of the main streets were reconstructed and re-metalled during 1907-08. The streets and many shops are lighted by electricity, the use of which has spread with remarkable rapidity. According to the census taken by the Japanese Consular police the population in November, 1915, was 177,957, comprising 175,491 Chinese, 2083 Japanese, 206 Koreans and 177 foreigners. Nurhachu, the founder of the Manchu dynasty, established himself at Mukden in 1625, and his tomb (the Tungling, Eastern tomb), about seven miles east of the city, is an object of great interest. The great mound and funeral hall are enclosed within a high wall pierced by one large gateway which holds three arched portals, and the avenue of approach is spanned by two lofty stone arches elaborately sculptured. Two massive couchant lions guard the portal. Nurhachu's son is buried at the Peiling (Northern tomb), about 2 miles to the north of the city. The tomb is similar in arrangement to the Tungling. There are many other objects of Manchu historical interest in the town and its vicinity. Accommodation for foreign visitors is at present very limited. There are one or two small hotels in semi-foreign style inside the city; and the South Manchuria Railway Company have a first-class hotel in European style at their new railway station.

Directory_and_Chronicle_1918 — Page 745

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