Tomb of Ruan Yuan

Tomb of Ruan Yuan

The Tomb of Ruan Yuan is a cultural tourism attraction.

Tomb of Ruan Yuan

In Huaisi Town on the northern outskirts of Shugang lies the tomb of Ruan Yuan, a celebrated official of the Qing Dynasty, who was praised by Emperor Daoguang as “enjoying the favor of three reigns and being a paragon of virtue in his generation.”

Ruan Yuan passed the imperial examination during the Qianlong era of the Qing Dynasty, served as an elder statesman among the Three Pavilions, and held the prestigious title of “Grand Secretary of the Tiren Pavilion and Grand Guardian of the Heir Apparent.” He was highly knowledgeable in classics, history, mathematics, epigraphy, and engraving, with over 180 writings to his name, earning him the respect as a leading literary figure of his time. In the 18th year of the Daoguang reign, due to declining health, he retired on half salary and returned to his hometown, where he eventually passed away in Yangzhou at the age of 86.

The tomb of this nationally renowned Qing Dynasty statesman fell into disrepair after suffering damage during the Cultural Revolution. Aside from the stone memorial archway, the site had become unrecognizable, with even the imperial inscribed tombstone buried and scattered in the dirt.

By the end of the 20th century, the Tomb of Ruan Yuan had been gradually restored and was listed as a Jiangsu Provincial-Level Cultural Relics Protection Unit in 2002. Since 2006, the protection and restoration efforts of the Ruan Yuan Tomb complex have expanded further. The complex centers around Ruan Yuan’s tomb and also includes the graves of five generations of his family—his grandparents, parents, wives, and concubines—totaling over 20 members, covering an area of 4,200 square meters.

The tomb faces east with a slight southeast orientation, shaded by lush pines and offering enchanting scenery. At the entrance of the spirit path, a spirit way stele stands alongside a stone horse. The inscription on the stele records the merits of Ruan Yuan’s grandfather, Ruan Zhaoyong. Originally, Ruan Zhaoyong was a military examination graduate who spent his life battling on the front lines. For three generations afterward, his descendants also achieved military honors. The stone horse, entirely silver-white, is muscular and gentle, clearly a warhorse, and is a distinctive feature of the tomb area.

Ruan Yuan, as a great Confucian scholar, achieved success in his youth and returned in glory in his later years. His rise and retirement were filled with family happiness, and his moral integrity and literary achievements are admired by later generations. In contrast, figures like Emperor Yang Guang and Liu Xu, despite their imperial status, met tragic ends. A stroll through the site seems to offer visitors a moment of life reflection.

Huaisi Town: Yangzhou once had city gates, though those under 60 today likely don’t remember what they looked like. Yet, among the locals, Yangzhou still has its “gates”—one in each of the four directions—but these “gates” are not the traditional kind, merely symbolizing the city’s entrances. For example, the area near the South Ring Expressway is called the “South Gate,” the entry point via the Liaojiagou Bridge is known as the “East Gate,” Jiangwang Town in Hanjiang District is considered the “West Gate,” and for the North Gate, although both Xihu Town and Huaisi Town are options, locals customarily agree that only Huaisi Town truly qualifies.

Generally speaking... More details about Huaisi Town ++