Fushun

Fushun sits just east of Shenyang in Liaoning, straddling the Hun River in the wooded hills where the Qing dynasty was born. At Hetu Ala, the Manchu leader Nurhaci proclaimed the state of Later Jin in 1616, and the reconstructed city preserves the cradle of the dynasty that would rule China for nearly three centuries. Nearby Sarhu was the site of the decisive 1619 battle that broke Ming resistance. For a century Fushun was one of China's greatest coal towns, and its vast West Open-Pit Mine, kilometres long, is a striking industrial landmark. The city is also strongly associated with the soldier-hero Lei Feng, who died here and is honored at a large memorial. Rail links tie it closely to Shenyang.