Tomb of Xu Fang

Tomb of Xu Fang

The Tomb of Xu Fang is a cultural relic protection unit of Suzhou City.

The Tomb of Xu Fang is located in Zhenzhuwu, Xiangxue Village, Guangfu Town. Xu Fang (1622–1694), courtesy name Zhaofa, style name Sizhai, also known as Qinyu Shanren, was a native of Wuxian County and the son of the loyal official Xu [name not translatable]. In the 15th year of the Chongzhen era, he passed the imperial examination as a Juren. After the fall of the Ming Dynasty, in accordance with his father’s dying wish, he refused to serve the foreign regime and lived in seclusion at the “Jian Shang Thatched Cottage,” referring to himself as a “solitary and mournful son.” He was skilled in cursive and running scripts and was also accomplished in landscape painting, drawing inspiration from Dong Yuan, Ju Ran, Jing Hao, Guan Tong, as well as following the styles of Ni Zan and Huang Gongwang. He was named one of the “Three Eminent Scholars of Wu Region” along with Yang Wujiu and Zhu Yongchun. He never entered the city throughout his life, made a living by selling paintings, and typically did not sign his works. Along with Shen Shimin of Xuancheng and Chao Mingsheng of Jiaxing, he was known as one of the “Three Loyal Remnants of the Realm.” Xu Fang was highly prolific, authoring works such as the 300-plus volume Comprehensive Compilation of Historical Events from the Comprehensive Mirror for Aid in Government, numerous volumes of Literary Collection of the Twenty-One Histories, over 20 volumes of Historical Anecdotes and Commentary, six volumes of Miscellaneous Notes on Reading, one volume of Records of Unified Writing of the Jianyuan Era, and eleven essays in Observations, totaling several hundred volumes. None of the above works have survived except for the 20-volume Collected Works from the Hall of Easy Living, compiled and edited by Pan Lei.

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 and a Taihu water area of about 160 square kilometers, with approximately 32 kilometers of shoreline. It governs 10 villages (communities) and has a permanent population of 63,000.

Guangfu has long been known for its reputation as a “land of lake and mountain views and blessed scenery.” It boasts superior ecological resources, beautiful natural landscapes, 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 Xiyyan. It is also famous for attractions such as Xiangxuehai, Situ Temple, … More detailed information about Guangfu Town ++