Tomb of Miao Xiyong

Tomb of Miao Xiyong

The Tomb of Miao Xiyong is a cultural tourism attraction.

The Tomb of Miao Xiyong is located in front of Xingfu Temple, near Shun’guo Spring. It was severely damaged during the “Cultural Revolution.” In recent years, it has undergone multiple restorations, and the burial mound, outer wall, worship platform, and tomb path have all been repaired. The tombstone is inscribed with: “Tomb of the Ming Dynasty Famous Physician Zhongchun, Master Miao.” It is a municipal-level cultural relics protection unit.

Miao Xiyong, courtesy name Zhongchun, also known as Mutai, was a famous physician of the Ming Dynasty. He possessed noble medical ethics and outstanding medical skills, especially excelling in the study of materia medica. He authored works such as “Commentary on the Classic of Materia Medica” and “Single Prescriptions from Materia Medica,” making outstanding contributions to traditional Chinese medicine. His contemporaries compiled his medical cases into the widely circulated “Records of the First Awakened One.” He was a member of the Donglin Party, known for his straightforwardness and hatred of evil. He often discussed state affairs and criticized the abuse of power by eunuchs, and was referred to as “Divine Physician An Daoquan” in the “Donglin Pointing Record.”

Miao Xiyong (c. 1546–1627), courtesy name Zhongchun, lived during the Jiajing and Tianqi reigns of the Ming Dynasty. At 17, he suffered from a long bout of malaria, which he cured himself after studying medical texts, leading to his passion for medicine. Throughout his life, he loved to travel, seeking teachers and friends in order to collect prescriptions, exchange knowledge, and explore medical theories. He revised and expanded numerous prescriptions, and authored “The Extensive Notes of the Xianxing Studio on Medicine” as well as several other medical classics.

A renowned clinical physician and pharmacologist of the Ming Dynasty in China, he was the grandson of Li Sitang (who had studied medicine under the renowned Zhu Yuanzhai of Wuxing) and a cousin of the Wanli-era Jinshi scholar Miao Changqi. Originally from Changshu, Jiangsu, he resided in Changxing for many years,... More details about Miao Xiyong ++