Zhou Ziqi’s Tomb

Zhou Ziqi’s Tomb

Zhou Ziqi’s Tomb is a cultural tourism attraction.

Zhou Ziqi (November 17, 1869 – October 21, 1923), courtesy name Zimou, was a native of Dangshan County, Shandong Province. In his early years, he studied at the Beijing Tongwen Guan and later studied in the United States at Columbia University. In April 1922, he served as Acting Premier of the Cabinet and concurrently as Minister of Education. From June 2 to 11, he also acted as President of the Republic of China for ten days. He was involved in the founding of Tsinghua University. He passed away on October 21, 1923, and was buried on the slopes of Jiulong Mountain, west of Chengzi Village in Mentougou District, at the western edge of Beijing.

Zhou Ziqi’s Tomb faces east and is backed by the undulating Jiulong Mountain, with the surging Yongding River stretching out before it, and gently rolling, picturesque hills on both sides. The site covers an area of approximately 30,000 square meters, stretching over 200 meters from east to west and more than 150 meters from north to south, and is enclosed by a wire fence. The cemetery is shaded by dense pine and cypress trees with lush foliage. The tomb gradually ascends along the mountain slope. At the very front stands an imposing four-pillared, three-bay stone memorial archway. The central gate is inscribed with the regular script “Zhou Family Tomb Path,” with “Peaceful Abode” on the left and “Noble Tomb” on the right, signed by “San Shui Liang Shiyi.” The pillars of the archway are engraved with a couplet: the upper line reads “Controlling mountains and embracing rivers to establish a sacred tomb,” and the lower line reads “Guarding Yan and inheriting Lu, extending the splendor of Huaxia,” which is said to be the calligraphy of Xu Shichang, President of the Republic of China. On either side of the

The entire tomb mound resembles a fortress, representing a typical early Republican-era tomb structure. In front of the tomb stands a stone offering table and a stone incense burner, while over a hundred white-bark pines are planted on the small hill behind the tomb. A square tomb epitaph was once unearthed from the Zhou Ziqi Tomb, measuring 0.62 meters on each side, which recorded Zhou’s life story and is now preserved in the Mentougou Museum.

Location

On the slopes of Jiulong Mountain, west of Chengzi Village, Mentougou District, Beijing