Hetuala, also known by its Chinese name Xingjing, is the birthplace of the Qing Dynasty — the site where Nurhachi organised the Jurchen confederation and launched his challenge to Ming authority. The reconstructed palace complex in Xinbin County occupies a ridge above the Suzi River and contains the main hall where Nurhachi held court, residential quarters, and an attached museum documenting the early Jurchen military organisation.
The reconstruction is honest about its twentieth-century origins rather than pretending to be original fabric, which is more than can be said for some Chinese heritage sites. The museum is informative on the complex relationship between the Jurchen clans and the Ming border garrison system. Combined with the Yongling Tomb nearby, this area gives a concentrated picture of Qing origins that you cannot get anywhere else. The journey from Fushun takes about two hours by car; there is limited public transport, making a taxi or tour the practical option.