Tomb of Yang Sihong

Tomb of Yang Sihong

The Tomb of Yang Sihong is a cultural relic protection unit of Jiangsu Province and a patriotic education base.

Yang Sihong was born in 1847, styled Xijiu and also known as Maoling. He was a native of Tonghua Street in Suqian City. From an early age, he practiced martial arts and had a strong sense of justice, later abandoning his studies to join the military.

On the west bank of the ancient Grand Canal, east of Xiangwang’s Former Residence in southern Suqian City, following a winding country path west of Dongguan Pass, crossing ditches and small bridges, through twists and turns, you will come upon a site nestled among lush pines and shaded by green trees. There stands a striking vermilion memorial archway, behind which lies a simple yet solemn tomb covering several acres. Here rests General Yang Sihong, a native of Suqian and a national hero who fought against Japanese invaders and sacrificed his life to defend Taiwan during the First Sino-Japanese War in the late Qing Dynasty. This is the renowned provincial cultural relic protection site—Tomb of Lord Yang.

Since the burial of Lord Yang here in 1895 after his heroic death, the tomb remained an earthen mound. After the founding of New China, with the care and support of the Party and government, multiple special allocations were made to rebuild the site. Especially since 1990, the scale of restoration has continuously expanded. The earth mound was gradually replaced with brick and cement structures, and a spirit way stele was erected in the tomb area.

Biography of the Deceased

Yang Sihong participated in the Battle of Fuzhou (Mawei) during the Sino-French War, where he repeatedly distinguished himself in combat. In the 15th year of the Guangxu reign (1889), he was promoted to commander of the left wing of the provincial garrison, later becoming the Taiwan Garrison Commander. In April 1895, the corrupt Qing government, defeated in the First Sino-Japanese War, signed the humiliating Treaty of Shimonoseki with Japan, ceding Taiwan to Japan. At the same time, it ordered the defending troops to retreat back to the mainland. At that time, Yang Sihong served as deputy commander to Liu Yongfu’s Black Flag Army. He refused to follow the Qing court's retreat order and led Taiwanese soldiers and civilians in resisting the Japanese invaders. He bravely fought across the island—leading charges in both the north and south, inflicting major defeats on the Japanese in Anxi and Hsinchu, striking fear into the enemy. He was honored as the “Black Tiger General.” In August 1895, during a battle pursuing the enemy at Luohong Bridge, he was unfortunately shot. Even as he lay dying, he secretly ordered that no public mourning be held, so that the army could continue fighting without losing morale. He died for his country at the age of 49.

Architectural Composition

In the tranquil and solemn tomb area of Yang Sihong, the first thing you see is a grand memorial archway. The central and side pillars of the archway are five and six meters tall respectively. The central plaque bears three bold clerical script characters reading “Tomb of Lord Yang,” setting a solemn tone for the cemetery. The inscription on the central pillar reads: “Blood spilled in Taiwan, vowing to protect China’s territory; bones returned to hometown, honored as a national hero.” After his sacrifice, the people of Taiwan, upon hearing the news, were overcome with grief. They spontaneously organized to see him off, holding the People’s Umbrella and People’s Banner, bidding farewell to Lord Yang’s remains with tears in their eyes as they were returned home, expressing their deep admiration.

On the two side pillars of the archway, there is another couplet: “The Yi and Si rivers are like flowing robes, the Yellow and Grand canals like sashes, traversing thirteen provinces, standing firm like a pillar in midstream; Qin was toppled by Xiang [Yu], Japan was defeated by Yang [Sihong], two heroes spanning two thousand years, born in the same land.” The couplet is neatly composed and concise, written by the late Suqian calligrapher Dou Yankè. It compares Yang Sihong’s achievements to those of the legendary hero Xiang Yu from the end of the Qin Dynasty, illustrating how this land of Suqian has produced many heroes. The couplet expresses the profound respect and praise of his fellow townspeople.

Passing through the archway and walking along the spirit way, you will find a memorial stele on each side. The spirit way stele is inscribed with a text written by Zang Zengqing, a successful candidate in the imperial examinations from Suqian in the Qing Dynasty, recounting the heroic deeds of General Yang Sihong in defending Taiwan and sacrificing his life against the Japanese. On the west side is the stele commemorating the establishment of the tomb, inscribed with: “Lord Yang defended Taiwan, sacrificed his life resisting the Japanese. For over ninety years, his burial site lay desolate and neglected. Relevant municipal and provincial departments allocated funds in the autumn of 1987 to build the Tomb of the Righteous and Heroic Lord Yang, to commemorate the past and ensure everlasting remembrance. People’s Government of Suqian City, Jiangsu Province, 1988.”

Further along the spirit way lies the tomb mound. Beneath it is a rectangular cement platform, with the mound and platform in a vermilion hue. The eastern mound is the joint tomb of Yang Sihong and his wife, Lady Cai; the western mound is that of Yang Sihong’s parents. Since being laid to rest in his hometown, Lord Yang’s tomb had long remained an unkempt earthen mound—desolate and forlorn. This was because Yang Sihong had defended Taiwan in defiance of the imperial court’s orders and was regarded by the Qing government as a rebellious general. His fame did not match that of Deng Shichang from the Battle of the Yalu River nor Zuo Baogui, who resisted the Japanese in the northeast. The Qing court treated Yang Sihong as “not belonging to the court, thus undeserving of mourning.” As a result, his tomb remained an earthen mound for many years. However, the people’s government placed great importance on its protection. Municipal and provincial governments repeatedly allocated special funds to rebuild the site. Starting in 1987, the area was expanded, the earthen mound was turned into a cement structure, a memorial archway was built, and commemorative steles were erected. In 1995, the Tomb of Yang Sihong was designated as a fourth batch provincial cultural relic protection unit by the People’s Government of Jiangsu Province.

Landscape Development

Behind the Tomb of Lord Yang flows a clear stream, surrounded by lush pines and cypresses, creating a solemn and serene atmosphere. In spring, the surrounding fields bloom with yellow rapeseed flowers, creating a bright and harmonious scene, reminding people that the hero lives forever in their hearts. The Tomb of Yang Sihong will be integrated with Xiangwang’s Former Residence, Zhenru Temple, and Sanhuang Temple, becoming an important part of Xiangli Park. The planned expansion of the Tomb of Lord Yang will include the construction of a statue of General Yang Sihong and a memorial exhibition hall within the tomb area. The hall will feature stone carvings depicting his heroic deeds. Once completed, the Tomb of Yang Sihong will become a key site for patriotic education among the youth in our city. The illustrious name of General Yang Sihong will be celebrated alongside other national heroes such as Deng Shichang, leaving an eternal legacy in history.

Jiangsu Provincial Cultural Relic Protection Unit – Fourth Batch, April 1995: Tomb of Yang Sihong, Qing Dynasty, Suqian City

Further Reading:

· Fourth Batch of Jiangsu Provincial Cultural Relic Protection Units