The first Qing emperor to be buried on the site was Qianlong, who reigned from 1711 to 1799. His tomb, or rather what the tomb-raiders left of it, is one of China's most impressive burial places, covering a total area of 500m2. Occupying the basement of a wooden pavilion, it is housed behind a massive marble door. The frescoes on the door, ceilings and walls of the funerary chamber are splendidly embellished with Buddhist sculptures and Sanskrit and Tibetan script.