Tomb of Monk Xugu

Tomb of Monk Xugu

The Tomb of Monk Xugu is a cultural relic protection unit of Suzhou City.

The Tomb of Monk Xugu is located on the southern side of Pan Chi Mountain in Guangfu Town. The renovated tombstone bears the inscription “Tomb of Monk Xugu” in the center. On the right is written: “Fu Hua and Cai Geng have long admired Monk Xugu’s Buddhist paintings. After five trips to the Stone Cliff area of Guangfu, and with the support of Venerable Master Rong Zong, they discovered the site of the monk’s tomb and erected this stele to express their reverence.” On the left is inscribed: “Written and recorded by Gu Tinglong in the summer of 1982.” This was written by Gu Tinglong, former director of the Shanghai Library. Nestled against the mountain and facing the lake, the site is lush with trees and rolling hills. Nearby are also the renowned Situ Temple and the “Four Wonders” — four ancient cypresses noted for their distinctive forms. As a result, literati and artists frequently come here to pay tribute and reflect, as well as to admire the standing statue of the painter-monk in the memorial hall (sculpted by the famous sculptor Yan Meng). Su Yuanlei, Vice President of the Shanghai Buddhist Association, once composed three poems here, the third of which reads: “Fu Hua and Cai Geng sought out the desolate grave with devotion; / His legacy of brushwork survived the upheavals. / Today, the east wind ushers in the Cold Food Festival; / The lakes and hills forever cradle his poetic soul.”

Xugu (1824–1896) was a legendary Buddhist monk and painter. In his early years, he served as an officer in the Qing army, but unwilling to fight against the Taiping rebels, he “donned the monastic robe and entered the mountains” at the age of 30 to become a monk. However, he “neither kept a vegetarian diet nor worshipped the Buddha,” and often traveled between Suzhou, Shanghai, and Yangzhou, earning a living by selling his paintings. His works displayed a distinct and unique artistic personality, exceptional formal beauty, and an ethereal, refined artistic conception. The book “Shanghai Ink Forest” spoke highly of him: “His landscapes, flowers, vegetables and fruits, birds, all rendered with a cool and incisive touch, broke new ground in style. Even his calligraphy was uniquely antique and transcendent.” He was regarded as one of the representative figures of the Shanghai School of Painting, alongside Wu Changshuo, Ren Bonian, and Pu Hua. In 1896 (the 22nd year of the Guangxu reign), Xugu passed away at the Guangdong-Guangxi Guild Hall’s Guan Yu Temple west of Shanghai and was buried on Shibi Mountain in Suzhou. Due to lack of care, the site soon fell into disrepair and gradually disappeared. Had it not been for Fu Hua’s dedication, it might have been lost forever.

Guangfu Town: Located in the western suburbs of Suzhou City and on the shore of Taihu Lake, Guangfu Town is 21.5 kilometers from the city center. The town covers a land area of 62 square kilometers, with about 160 square kilometers of Taihu water area and a shoreline of approximately 32 kilometers. It governs 10 villages (communities) and has a permanent population of 63,000.

Guangfu has long enjoyed the reputation of “a land of lake and mountain views and blessed scenic beauty.” It boasts abundant ecological resources, stunning natural scenery, and rich cultural heritage. Emperor Qianlong visited here during all six of his southern tours. The town is home to more than twenty peaks and hills of various sizes, including Dengwei Mountain, Xuemu Mountain, and Xiqi Mountain, as well as lakes such as Dongyan and Xiyuan. It is also known for attractions like Xiangxuehai (Sea of Snow Fragrance), Situ Temple, ... More details about Guangfu Town++