Tomb of Mao Dun

Tomb of Mao Dun

The Tomb of Mao Dun is a cultural tourism attraction.

The Tomb of Mao Dun is located within Lingshuiju in Xizha, nestled by the water and against the hill. The burial site is built on the eastern slope, which is the highest point of West Street. From this vantage, visitors enjoy a wide and open view, taking in the authentic streetscape from the era of Mao Dun's early life.

The overall layout and design of the tomb adopt a "Zi" (子) character formation. The "Zi" is taken from the title of the author’s representative work Midnight. The strokes are simple yet clearly structured, and their creative use conveys meaning through aesthetic form.

Leading up to the tomb is a path with 85 steps, symbolizing the 85 years of Mao Dun’s life. These 85 steps are designed in three distinct styles, representing the three different phases of his life, and illustrating the humble yet brilliant journey of Mao Dun.

In front of Mao Dun’s tomb stands a half-length bronze bust of the author, modeled after his appearance when he served as Minister of Culture.

In front of the bust lies a black granite tombstone carved in the shape of an open manuscript. The pages display the handwritten manuscript of the first chapter of Mao Dun’s representative novel Midnight, titled “Sunset.” Behind the bust, the tomb chamber houses the ashes of Mao Dun and his wife Kong Dezhi.

On the eastern side of the tomb, the grave of Mao Dun’s mother, Chen Aizhu, has also been relocated. Her original grave was in the rural area of East Zha in Wuzhen, but it was moved here at the request of Mao Dun’s family, in fulfillment of his final wishes.

On the mid-slope of the tomb area stands the “Huai Si Pavilion” (Remembrance Pavilion), which offers a panoramic view of the entire Lingshuiju area.

Address: Within Lingshuiju, Xizha Scenic Area, Wuzhen, Tongxiang City, Jiaxing, Zhejiang Province

Type: Tomb / Burial Site

Recommended Visit Duration: 0.5–1 hour

Ticket Information:

No separate ticket required. Admission is included in the Xizha Scenic Area ticket (120 RMB), or the combined East & West Zha ticket (150 RMB).

Mao Dun (July 4, 1896 – March 27, 1981), original name Shen Dehong, used the pen names Mao Dun, Langsun, Xuanzhu, Fangbi, Zhijing, Pulao, Weiming, Shen Zhongfang, Shen Mingfu, among others. His courtesy name was Yanbing. He was a native of Tongxiang City, Jiaxing, Zhejiang Province.

Mao Dun was born into a family with rather progressive ideas and received a modern education from an early age. He later studied at Peking University’s preparatory program, and after graduation, joined the Commercial Press. From then on, he embarked on a path of reforming Chinese literature and art. He was a pioneer of the New Culture Movement and a founding figure of revolutionary literature in China.

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