Nanjing Gao Tian Stone Carving Pavilion

Nanjing Gao Tian Stone Carving Pavilion

Nanjing Gao Tian Stone Carving Pavilion is a cultural tourism attraction.

Nanjing Gao Tian Stone Carving Pavilion is a four-cornered stone pavilion. It features an imperial edict by the Ming Emperor Chengzu Zhu Di, offering sacrifices to heaven. The inscription expresses gratitude and remembrance for his father and empress. As he was unable to attend their funerals when they passed away, he felt deep remorse, as reflected in phrases such as “The days of their passing grow ever more distant, and I grieve deeply over not having been there for their burials; the years since their deaths only intensify my regret for not having repaid their toil.” The Gao Tian stone carving was originally located above Zixia Cave, but it was lost over time due to the passage of years and great changes. The Zhongshan Mausoleum Management Office recarved the stone and erected it here. The Gao Tian Stone Carving Pavilion is situated at Ma Yao within the scenic area.

The translated meaning of the Gao Tian Stone Carving is an imperial edict by Emperor Chengzu Zhu Di for sacrifices to heaven. The days grow ever more distant from the passing of my imperial father, the founding emperor, and my imperial mother, the filial and compassionate empress. I am deeply saddened that I could not personally attend their funerals. As time passes, I increasingly feel the pain of not having been able to repay their toil. The successive deaths of my brothers are also heartbreaking. Internal strife among family nearly allowed foreign enemies to seize key border defenses, and the scheming of trusted ministers further worsened the situation. Fortunately, the nation ultimately remained safe and unharmed.