Tomb of Cheng Duanzhong

Tomb of Cheng Duanzhong

The Tomb of Cheng Duanzhong is a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

Located in Zhuangfan Village, Changling Township, Jinzhai County, the tomb was commissioned by the Southern Song court to honor the loyal martyr Cheng Duanzhong. The tomb stands 2.5 meters high and 5 meters long, built with strip stones. At the center stands a white stone stele, 1.8 meters tall and 0.7 meters wide, inscribed with “Tomb of Cheng Duanzhong, Eldest Son of Master Yi Chuan of the Song Dynasty, Magistrate of Lu’an, Posthumously Honored as Loyal and Heroic,” and signed “Reconstructed in the Sixth Year of the Tongzhi Reign of the Imperial Qing (1867 AD), Year of Dingmao, by the United Clans of Liuying, Huoshan.” In front of the tomb are stone artifacts such as stone pillars, vases, and incense burners. To the left of the tomb lies the Loyal and Heroic Shrine.

Cheng Duanzhong was a man of the Southern Song period, originally from Boye in Zhongshan. Emperor Taizong of the Song bestowed a residence in the capital upon his family due to their distinguished service. Cheng Duanzhong was the great-grandson of Cheng Yu, grandson of Cheng Xiang, and son of Cheng Yi. As a youth, he was exceptionally intelligent with remarkable insight, dedicated to learning, and well-versed in the classics and history. Both his father and uncle held him in high regard. He began his official career during Emperor Zhezong’s reign, though his early position is unclear. By the end of the Jingkang era, he followed Emperor Gaozong southward, managed military affairs in Yun’an, and oversaw internal garrison farming, implementing many compassionate policies. In the third year of the Jianyan era, when Jin forces attacked Lu’an, some urged him to surrender, but he immediately ordered their execution and personally led troops to resist the invaders, inflicting a major defeat and chasing them over 200 li to the foot of Zhuang Mountain. However, the enemy counterattacked, and Duanzhong fought to the death, losing his head. Upon hearing the news, the emperor was deeply grieved and ordered a golden head to be cast and placed on the body for burial. He had three sons: Yi, Huang, and Sheng.

Protected Area: The entire tomb complex (total area 60 mu).

Construction Control Zone: 50 meters outside the protected area.

Changling Township: Changling Township is located in the southeastern part of Jinzhai County, bordering Yingshan County of Hubei Province to the south, adjacent to Huoshan County to the east, and connecting to the two national forest parks—Tiantangzhai and Wujiashan—as well as the Yanzihe Grand Canyon scenic area to the west. The township covers a total area of 134.1 square kilometers, governs 16 administrative villages, and has a total population of 17,650. In 2003, the township achieved a total industrial and agricultural output value of 80 million yuan, with a per capita income of 1,800 yuan. The area has 100,000 mu of mountain land, 7,000 mu of mulberry fields, and 2,000 mu of tea gardens, making it an important producer of silkworm breeding, tea, high-mountain vegetables, edible fungi, medicinal herbs, wild vegetables, and timber/bamboo... More details about Changling Township++