Tomb of Yin Yinglei

Tomb of Yin Yinglei

The Tomb of Yin Yinglei is a Jiangsu Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

The Tomb of Yin Yinglei is located in Jianhua Village within the Shanghu Lake Tourist Resort of Yushan Mountain in Changshu City. It is a large earthen mound, approximately 3.5 meters high and 157 meters in circumference, commonly known as "Yin Family Hill." Originally facing south and overlooking the north, the tomb complex was once quite grand, featuring stone animals, stone statues of officials (known as stone wengzhong), and a spirit way stele, all of which were later destroyed. Today, only one stele remains, inscribed with “Tomb of Lord Yin, Founding Duke of Jinghai County.” A pavilion named “Yinshan Pavilion,” erected on the eastern side of the tomb mound, was built by local villagers in memory of Yin Yinglei. The 1499 edition of the Changshu County Annals by Sang Yu during the Ming Dynasty’s Hongzhi era records: “The tomb of Yin Yinglei, Pacification Commissioner and Military Governor of the Two Huai Regions, lies on the southern shore of Shanghu Lake.” The 1751 edition of the Changzhao Combined Annals by Yan Rusu during the Qing Dynasty’s Qianlong era states: “Yin Yinglei, an imperial appointee of the Song Dynasty, was buried by imperial decree at Yanjing River south of Shanghu Lake. Over the long passage of time, the land around the tomb was encroached upon by other families. During the Tianqi era of the Ming Dynasty, Scholar Official Xu Shirou made great efforts to restore it and re-engraved the stone inscriptions.” According to the tomb stele from that period, Yin Yinglei’s son Dechuan, grandsons Xiaoweng and Shuweng, and great-grandson Zhenzhi all served under the Yuan Dynasty. By the 30th-generation descendant Zucha, who had no heirs, a will was left stipulating that Xu Yingren’s son-in-law and rightful nephew Wenxue would inherit the lineage and conduct annual ancestral worship. Yin Yinglei (unknown–1273), courtesy name Deyu, style name Xiyin, was originally from Jinghai Commandery (present-day Nantong City) but resided in Changshu. He passed the imperial examination in 1238 during the Jiari era of the Southern Song Dynasty, was a renowned general against the Jin invaders, and held the official post of Vice Minister of War. In November 1982, it was designated as a Cultural Relics Protection Unit of Changshu City.

Jianhua Village: Located on the southern shore of Shanghu Lake, Jianhua Village sits at the western entrance of Changshu City. Zhou Tang River runs south of the village, while Yuanhe Road and Sanhuan Road pass through the village area. The village stretches 1.05 kilometers from north to south and 1.5 kilometers from east to west, covering an area of 1.56 square kilometers. It has 12 natural groups and three residential zones, with 398 households and a population of 1,646. … More details about Jianhua Village++

Further Reading:

· Eighth Batch of Jiangsu Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Units