Tomb of Liao Lei

Tomb of Liao Lei

The Tomb of Liao Lei is a cultural tourism attraction.

Located on the hill behind Xiangshan Temple in HuaiShuwan Township, Jinzhai County. Liao Lei, courtesy name Yannong and art name Bofu, was born in February 1890 into a family of generations of farmers in Luchuan County, Guangxi.

In October 1937, he was promoted to commander-in-chief of the 21st Army Group and led his troops in the famous Battle of Shanghai (August 13th Resistance War). In October 1938, he concurrently served as chairman of the Anhui Provincial Government, commander of the security forces, and commander-in-chief of the guerrilla corps in the Henan-Hubei-Anhui border area. On October 23, 1939, he died suddenly of a cerebral hemorrhage in Jinjiazhai, Lihuang County, at the age of only 50.

After Liao Lei’s death, his coffin was temporarily placed in Xiangshan Temple. His tomb is domed in shape, and all the required stone materials were quarried by the 7th Army under his command from Dushan in Lu’an County, where the army headquarters was stationed, and transported to Xiangshan Temple. Stone pillars (huabiao) were erected in front of the tomb, engraved with handwritten elegiac couplets. The front couplet was written in semi-cursive script by Chiang Kai-shek, while the back one was in cursive script by Yu Youren. Lin Sen, then Chairman of the National Government, inscribed the tombstone that reads: “Tomb of Liao Lei, General of the Army and Commander-in-Chief of the Guerrilla Forces in Henan–Hubei–Anhui and Chairman of the Anhui Provincial Government,” with the signature “Lin Sen.” Later, the tomb was vandalized. The gravestone inscribed by Lin Sen and the surrounding stones transported from Dushan used to encase the tomb mound were removed for the construction of a small reservoir and have not been recovered since. However, the engraved couplets were cleverly preserved, and the underground burial chamber remains intact. In the spring of 2000, the Publicity Department of the Jinzhai County Committee and the People’s Government of HuaiShuwan Township funded its renovation. Now the tomb mound has a diameter of about 8 meters and is surrounded by an octagonal earthen wall.

Chiang Kai-shek’s elegiac couplet reads: “Sincere in seeking good governance, brave in facing danger, your loyal heart shone like the sun; fighting enemies at the forefront, dedicating your life until death, your noble spirit is honored by the people.” Signature: “Chiang Kai-shek.”

Yu Youren’s elegiac couplet reads: “Reading the epitaph brings tears, unforgettable is your benevolent rule like that of Yang Taifu; your victories against the barbarians live on, your heroic spirit reminds us of Yue’s army.” The stone-carved calligraphy is a fine masterpiece of the time, possessing extremely high artistic value.