Ming Qiyang King’s Tomb in Nanjing

Ming Qiyang King’s Tomb in Nanjing

The Ming Qiyang King’s Tomb in Nanjing is a cultural tourism attraction.

Ming Qiyang King’s Tomb in Nanjing

Qiyang King Li Wenzhong (1339–1384), courtesy name Siben, was a native of Xuyi (now part of Jiangsu Province). This is a satellite tomb of the Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum. He was once adopted by the founding emperor Zhu Yuanzhang and took the surname Zhu. At the age of nineteen, he became a general, known for his bravery and military prowess, and was repeatedly honored for his achievements, eventually being granted the title of Duke of Cao. After his death, he was posthumously titled Qiyang King, with the posthumous name Wu Jing, and was granted a burial site on the northern side of Zhongshan Mountain.

The Tomb of Qiyang King Li Wenzhong (No. 6 Jiangwangmiao Street, Nanjing) was built in the 19th year of the Hongwu reign (1386). The spirit way was renovated twice during the Ming Chenghua and Qing Guangxu periods. The current site covers an area of 14,000 square meters, with stone carvings along the spirit way at the front, the ruins of the Hall of Worship (with the platform base restored) in the middle, and the tomb mound at the rear. The spirit way stone carvings include one stele, one stone pillar, two stone horses with their handlers, two stone sheep, two stone tigers, two military officials, and two civil officials.

In the first half of 2001, the Cultural Relics Research Institute carried out a comprehensive environmental restoration of the Ming Qiyang King Li Wenzhong Tomb. The platform of the Hall of Worship was also excavated and restored, bringing back the historical and cultural ambiance of the tomb site. After the restoration, the spirit way stone carvings appear solemn and dignified, the Hall of Worship platform is grand in scale, the tomb mound stands tall, and the area is covered with lush trees and green grass.

The results of the environmental restoration have been fully acknowledged by key leaders from the Nanjing Municipal Party Committee, the Municipal Government, and relevant departments. On August 26, 2002, experts from UNESCO responsible for evaluating World Heritage sites visited the Qiyang King’s Tomb, a satellite tomb of the Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum, and spoke highly of both the site’s environment and preservation.