Tomb of You Mao

Tomb of You Mao

The Tomb of You Mao is a cultural relic protection unit of Wuxi City.

The Tomb of You Mao is located at the foot of Xikong Mountain in the western suburbs of Wuxi. It was built during the Southern Song Dynasty. It was renovated in the early years of the Republic of China, but the tomb area and the stone carvings along the spirit way were destroyed in 1966. In 1984, the Wuxi Cultural Relics Management Committee and descendants of the You family jointly restored the tomb site.

You Mao (1127–1194), courtesy name Yanzhi and art name Suichu Jushang, was a native of Wuxi. He passed the imperial examination in 1148 during the 18th year of the Shaoxing era of the Southern Song Dynasty and successively held positions such as Magistrate of Taixing, Transport Commissioner of Jiangdong, Compiler at the National History Office and Tutor to the Crown Prince, Vice Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, Vice Minister of Rites and Secretariat Drafter, and Minister of Rites. He spent 40 years serving in official capacities outside his hometown. He was skilled in poetry and was one of the “Four Great Masters of Southern Song Poetry.”

The tomb is nestled against green hills and faces west. The burial mound is constructed of yellow stones in a circular shape, surrounded by a semi-circular outer wall. In front of the tomb stands a granite stele inscribed in clerical script: “Tomb of You Mao, Eminent Poet of the Song Dynasty, and His Virtuous Consort Lady Tang.”

In July 1986, it was designated as a municipal-level cultural relic protection unit by the Wuxi Municipal People’s Government.